About

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial up to 40cm high and wide with erect pink stems and fleshy grey-purple leaves flushed pink, producing terminal clusters of creamy-yellow flowers in late summer, maturing to reddish-brown seedheads in autumn.

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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun, see hylotelephium cultivation 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 or 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