Trailing Stonecrop Sedum sarmentosum

Stringy Stonecrop is a mat-forming perennial groundcover that has creeping bright yellow-green leaves with branches reaching a width of about 10 inches.  The branches take root at the nodes so it is very easy to propagate by stem cuttings.  They also propagate by leaf cutting or seed.    Plant in the full sun, some partial shade is tolerated but too much shade and the plant will struggle.  Well-drained soil is a must and sedums prefer sandy or rocky soil.  They are drought tolerant once established but do need regular watering, just be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings.  This plant can grow quite quickly and overpower young seedlings of other plants so be careful where you plant it.  It roots shallowly so it is easy to pull it up where you do not want it to grow.

Plant it in rock gardens, cascading over garden walls or in border fronts along walkways where its bright chartreuse color can play off of darker leaved plants in the landscape.  In areas of low foot traffic or just the foot traffic of children or pets it can be used as a lawn alternative like along a driveway or between the sidewalk and the street.  In areas of heavy foot traffic stepping stones can be set down and this plant will fill in the gaps nicely.  It also does well in containers with a cactus or succulent potting soil.

The Latin name sargemtosum means "bearing runners" or "twiggy" and is in reference to the plants spreading form.  It gets its common name Graveyard Moss because people would plant it ontop of gravesites to get a quick-growing burst of cheery green color.

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