About
A deciduous, clump-forming perennial to around 50cm tall with fleshy purple-green leaves that deepen in colour with age to burgundy-purple and bearing heads of pale yellow flowers opening from dusky-pink buds in mid to late summer.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant, 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