About
A suuculent perennial with fleshy, green-blue leaves with a purple tint in spring. This becomes more pronounced as they mature until they turn almost beetroot-purple. The bright pink flowers emerge in tight clusters late in the summer. Flower heads stay on the plant for many months, although their colour will fade, providing structure in the winter garden.
About the genus
Hylotelephium are succulent perennials with heads of small star-shaped flowers in summer to autumn. They are sometimes included within the genus Sedum
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Best in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant but will benefit from mulching. A good nectar source for pollinating insects. See hylotelephium for further advice
PruningFor bushy, compact plants, cut back the new stems by half in late May, this method is called the Chelsea Chop. Or cut back after flowering, and during border tidy ups in late winter before new growth emerges; seedheads can be left to overwinter
PropagationPropagate by division in spring. Propagate by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal and bacterial crown and root rot on wet soils, or powdery mildews on very dry soils