Hylotelephium telephium

Stonecrop is one of the many common names for Hylotelephium telephium. Other common names are Alpine, Life-everlasting, Live-forever, Livelong, Orphan John, Orpine, and Witch's Moneybags. The plant was formerly known as Sedum telephium. Some of the taller sedums including Sedum telephium (Stonecrop) and Sedum spectabile ('Autumn Joy'--Showy Stonecrop) were reassigned from the genus Sedum to Hylotelephium. "Hylo" is the Greek word meaning forest or woodland. "Telephium" means distant lover. It is also thought that the genus name honors Telephus, King of Mysia, who was the son of Hercules. The common name, Stonecrop, is in reference to the fact that many hylotelephiums and sedums grow wild on rocky or stony ledges. Another common name, Live-forever, refers to the fact that the plant is easy to grow, can regenerate from a single leaf, and cut stems can retain their foliage for some time. The common name, Orpine, is from an old French word "orpiment" and refers to an ancient variety of sedums. Stonecrop is a native of Europe, Russia, and North China. It has been introduced into portions of Canada, eastern and central United States, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.

It prefers full sun and medium to dry, sandy, or gravelly soil. The roots are white, carrot shaped tubers which store water to help the plant survive during dry spells. Stonecrop grows in a clump form with erect greenish stems, fleshy green to greenish-blue leaves, and tiny star-shaped pink to purplish-red flowers that appear in dense clusters. They propagate best by divisions in the spring or stem cuttings in the summer. They typically bloom from mid-summer to early fall. This is a very easy, low maintenance, and forgiving plant. It rewards you with lovely flowers and succulent like leaves. The dried out stems and leaves remain erect throughout the winter for added interest in the garden.

This plant is often confused with Hylotelephium erythrostictum and Rhodiola rosea.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs, scale, mealy bugs, nematodes, aphids, and weevils may be seen. May develop fungal and bacterial crown rot and root rot.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Hylotelephium.