Orpine Hylotelephium telephium

Stonecrop or Orpine is a succulent, herbaceous perennial with an erect and clumping habit. It is in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) and is native to Europe, Russia, and northern China. Hylo is the Greek word meaning forest or woodland. It is thought that the genus name honors Telephus, King of Mysia, who was the son of Hercules. The common name, orpine, is from an old French word orpiment and refers to an ancient variety of sedums. The species was formerly known as Sedum telephium and is still listed under that name in many older garden publications. 

Stonecrop prefers full sun and medium to dry, sandy, or shallow-rocky soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. They form white, carrot-shaped tap roots, which store water to help the plant survive during dry spells. Propagate stonecrop by division in the spring or stem cutting in the summer. It can regenerate from a single leaf. It is a low-maintenance plant that grows 2 to 2.5 feet tall 1.5 to 2 feet wide.

Stonecrop’s tiny star-shaped pink to purplish-red flowers appear in dense clusters from mid-summer to early fall. The fleshy green to greenish-blue leaves and stems remain erect throughout the winter for added interest in the garden. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. 

Use stonecrop as a specimen or in borders in butterfly and pollinator, cottage, and cutting gardens or drought-tolerant and rock gardens. It can be sited in a meadow or grown in a container. 

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. Deer sometimes browse the foliage.

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.