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'Birthday Party' Stonecrop Sedum 'Birthday Party'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SEE-dum
Description

Sedum is a genus of succulent, herbaceous perennials with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves depending on the species. The genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the habit of many of the Sedum species to sit and sprawl over rocks. In general, the plant is upright and spreads along the ground. The genus has over 300 species, though many have been moved to the genus Hylotelephium. It also has many cultivars, including 'Birthday Party', a cultivar with bright pink flowers that add interest to a late summer or fall garden. Even the dried flowerheads provide winter interest in the garden. It also has fleshy lime green leaves with red edging.

Sedum 'Birthday Party' has a compact habit and large flower heads up to 5 inches wide. It can be grown as a houseplant, ground cover, or interiorscape or landscape. When grown outdoors, site it in an area where it will get full sun to part sun. They are easy to grow indoors with bright direct light from a window or grow light. Use a coarse, well-drained soil, preferably a cactus mix. The plant tolerates rocky and poor soils well, establishes itself quickly, and is cold tolerant. Sedum 'Birthday Party' are also deer and rabbit hardy. The succulent leaves make them drought and dry soil tolerant. They can be damaged by deer. Sedums withstand only light foot traffic. The leaves tend to fall off easily; however, the fallen leaves can be used to propagate new plants.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Slugs and snails. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions. Taller sedum species with large flower heads are susceptible to flopping. Site in full sun and pinch back in spring to force thicker stems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Sedum.

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Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#easy to grow#colorful#low maintenance#green roof#fall interest#hanging baskets#well-drained soil#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#poor soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#easy to grow#colorful#low maintenance#green roof#fall interest#hanging baskets#well-drained soil#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#poor soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sedum
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Asia
    Distribution:
    Europe, Turkey, Northern Africa, North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees enjoy the nectar. Birds enjoy the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Edibility:
    The stems and leaves can be eaten raw when very young and tender. Later, until they flower, they may be eaten after briefly cooking. Not poisonous, but when eaten in quantity, can cause stomach upset.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 7 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit follicular, membranous or leathery, often surrounded by a persistent membranous corolla, opening on the adaxial side, Seeds mostly minute, usually with fleshy endosperm.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Deep rose-pink blossoms up to 5 inches wide with petals that initially are pale but darken over the season. Flowers begin as dense clusters, but over time, produce small pink star-shaped flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy green foliage with a burgundy edge that grows darker over the season.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
    Stem Description:
    One foot tall stems topped by flower buds resembling broccoli.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Poor Soil