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Phedimus spurius

Previously known as:

  • Sedum spurium
Phonetic Spelling
FED-ih-mus SPUR-ee-us
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Stonecrop is a creeping, semi-evergreen, perennial ground cover in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). It is native to northeastern Turkey and northern Iran and grows 2 to 6 inches high and 2 to 3 feet wide. 

Stonecrop requires full sun and well-drained, sandy or shallow rocky soil. Do not overwater, as it prefers very dry soil and is tolerant of drought. Propagate stonecrop by division or stem cutting. 

The long-lasting, star-shaped flowers of stonecrop bloom in spring and summer and come in an array of colors, depending upon the cultivar. The leaves may be golden, gray or green, adding to this plant’s interest. The plant is a food source for wildlife, attracting bees, butterflies and songbirds. This is a recommended plant species for Triangle Area green roofs.

Add stonecrop to butterfly, children’s, pollinator, drought-tolerant or rock gardens. Also consider it for woodland, naturalized or recreational play areas. And it is well suited to growing as a houseplant. 

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Dragon's Blood'
    green leaves tinged with purplish-red in the spring, red leaves in the fall; pink to red blooms
  • 'Fuldaglut'
    mat forming habit, green to bronze leaves that transition to burgundy in the fall and winter
  • 'John Creech' Form
    dense mat, 2 inches tall, small, fleshy, flat or rounded green leaves with pink flowers
  • 'Pink Jewel'
    creeping habit, green leaves with peachy-pink blooms
  • 'Red Carpet'
    mat-forming, bronze and green leaves that transition to deep red in the fall and winter, deep reddish-pink blooms
  • 'Royal Pink'
    low-growing habit with bright green foliage and deep pink flowers
  • 'Tricolor'
    green leaves variegated with pink and white when grown in full sun, pink bloom
'Dragon's Blood', 'Fuldaglut', 'John Creech', 'Pink Jewel', 'Red Carpet', 'Royal Pink', 'Tricolor'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#green roof#fall interest#creeping#trailing#low growing plant#children's garden#playground plant#groundcover#pollinator plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#Guilford Crevice Garden#mat forming
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Dragon's Blood'
    green leaves tinged with purplish-red in the spring, red leaves in the fall; pink to red blooms
  • 'Fuldaglut'
    mat forming habit, green to bronze leaves that transition to burgundy in the fall and winter
  • 'John Creech' Form
    dense mat, 2 inches tall, small, fleshy, flat or rounded green leaves with pink flowers
  • 'Pink Jewel'
    creeping habit, green leaves with peachy-pink blooms
  • 'Red Carpet'
    mat-forming, bronze and green leaves that transition to deep red in the fall and winter, deep reddish-pink blooms
  • 'Royal Pink'
    low-growing habit with bright green foliage and deep pink flowers
  • 'Tricolor'
    green leaves variegated with pink and white when grown in full sun, pink bloom
'Dragon's Blood', 'Fuldaglut', 'John Creech', 'Pink Jewel', 'Red Carpet', 'Royal Pink', 'Tricolor'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#green roof#fall interest#creeping#trailing#low growing plant#children's garden#playground plant#groundcover#pollinator plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#Guilford Crevice Garden#mat forming
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phedimus
    Species:
    spurius
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North Eastern Turkey to Northern Iran
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    flowers attract bees and butterflies
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Textural
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    good drought tolerance
    Edibility:
    Stems and leaves, when very young and tender, may be eaten raw. Later, until they flower, they may be briefly cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    White, pink to purplish star-shaped flowers on 6 in. stems in summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Slippery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves arranged in two columns along the stem; deciduous towards the stem base and evergreen near the tip; foliage takes on burgundy hues in fall
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Pollution
    Rabbits
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown, but possibly gastrointestinal symptoms.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids sedine, sedamine, and others.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Stems