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Trailing Stonecrop Sedum sarmentosum

Previously known as:

  • Sedum angustifolium
  • Sedum sheareii
Description

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.   

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Sun and Shade Demonstration Garden, Buncombe County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#yellow-green#yellow flowers#lawn alternative#fleshy leaves#yellow leaves#chartreuse#hanging baskets#fast growing#cascading#border front#nectar plant summer#bee friendly#container plant#buncombe county sun and shade garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#yellow-green#yellow flowers#lawn alternative#fleshy leaves#yellow leaves#chartreuse#hanging baskets#fast growing#cascading#border front#nectar plant summer#bee friendly#container plant#buncombe county sun and shade garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sedum
    Species:
    sarmentosum
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand
    Wildlife Value:
    Nectar from the flowers attract bees.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Yellow star-shaped flowers appear in the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Whorls of three succulent lanceolate yellow-green leaves 1 inch long and 1/4 wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Hanging Baskets
    Lawn
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Urban Conditions