The succulent plant sedum belongs to the Crassulaceae family. The growing area is very diverse: from Eurasia to the northern and southern parts of America. Sedum is a perennial herbaceous plant. However, rarely, it also happens to be two years old. Contains species and varietal diversity. At the same time, another common name for the plant is sedum. The plant is easy to care for, but requires proper and constant care. Widely used in the world of landscape design, in various compositions.
Sedum forms solid stems with leaves that tend to accumulate water. The height of the stem ranges from 40 to 70 cm, depending on the species. At the same time, the stems are: erect, creeping and sod-forming. Contains small actinomorphic flowers resembling a star shape.
The bright palette of flowers is varied with primary colors: red, white, pink, yellow. It has the following inflorescences: umbellate, corymbose and racemose. Flowering occurs in summer or autumn. Large tuberous root system. Mainly grows in meadows and dry slopes. Has good winter hardiness.
Sedum growing from seeds
Propagation by seeds is easy and simple. It is enough to thoroughly prepare for this process. Seeds are planted for seedlings from the beginning of March to the end of April. Before planting, they first undergo stratification and preparation for transplanting seedlings as follows:
❀ The seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil in a small container and moistened.
❀ Cover with a plastic bag and place in the lower section of the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 to 5 degrees Celsius.
❀ After two weeks, they are transferred to indoor conditions.
❀ Subsequently, subject to a temperature of 18-20 degrees and moderate soil moisture, the first shoots appear in a month.
❀ When 1-2 true leaves are reached, it is necessary to plant the seedlings into pots.
Reference! Stratification is generally considered to be the long-term keeping of seeds at a certain temperature for their further accelerated germination.
The soil for plant pots should be prepared in advance, which should include the following components: sand, peat, rotted leaves and turf in equal proportions. For better soil structure, brick chips are added. First, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the pot, and then the prepared mixture. Then the soil must be loosened and watered evenly. A sedum seedling is planted in a hole in the middle of the pot, sprinkled with soil and watered.
The first days after planting, the seedlings are kept in a dark place. As plant growth increases, they are moved to a sunnier location. Caring for a plant in a room requires regular ventilation and even watering. Sedum grows very well at home and takes root quickly.
Sedum planting in open ground
Correct and high-quality planting of sedum is based on step-by-step actions. You should familiarize yourself in more detail not only with the planting process itself, but also with the choice of seedling and location.
Selection of seedlings
The seedling must undergo a thorough inspection before planting. It is necessary to choose healthy plants. Seedlings with various damage, signs of disease or the presence of pests are excluded. When examining the leaves, you need to make sure that there are no limp specimens. You should pay attention to the soil, which does not allow stagnation of water and excessive moisture. It is also necessary to decide on the variety for the composition, since varieties differ in the color of the leaves, the length of the shoots and the color of the flowers.
Advice! The low variety is suitable for flower canvas, and the high variety is suitable for group and single planting.
Choosing a landing site
Sedum is a light-loving plant. It is necessary to choose an open sunny area with good soil, without stagnant moisture. The sun's rays have a beneficial effect on the decorative properties of leaves. Plant parameters and leaf color are taken into account for a harmonious combination in the area with other crops. Creeping and groundcover varieties thrive in rocky and rocky areas. Some varieties can grow in shaded areas, but their stems become significantly elongated.
Soil preparation
The unpretentious sedum grows well in a variety of soils. However, for full development and lush flowering, all types of plants require a special composition. All this should be taken into account when choosing a site. Fast-growing groundcover varieties require light, loose soil rich in nutrients. Other varieties prefer loamy, sandy, or lime-rich soil. Before planting, in any case, it is worth digging up the area, adding a small amount of compost or humus to the soil.
Sedum planting technology
Sedum is planted after a period of spring frosts. The time for planting is May. The interval between plants should be at least 20-25 cm.
Landing includes the following sequence:
❶ Dig a hole up to 20 cm deep, with a diameter of up to 50 cm.
❷ Distribute drainage in one layer at the bottom of the pit.
❸ Mix sand with humus in a ratio of 3:1. Fill the hole with the prepared mixture.
❹ Make a small depression in the middle of the hole, to the depth of the root system of the seedling.
❺ Carefully plant the seedling in the hole and cover it with soil, pressing down gently with your hands.
❻ Mark the hole by placing small stones around the plant.
❼ Place fine gravel or crushed stone in the hole.
❽ Water the seedling
Attention! Planting a plant in a dark place can lead to depletion of leaves and stems, and in the future it will stop blooming.
Sedum care in open ground
Proper care is the key to not only a healthy appearance of the plant, but also abundant flowering. Necessary components of care: watering, fertilizing and, to a lesser extent, loosening.
Watering
Sedum does not like waterlogged soil. In the first period after planting, the plant requires regular moderate watering. This contributes to its rapid rooting and good adaptation. At a more mature age, watering is carried out during prolonged heat or drought. A guide to soil dryness is an elementary hand test; if the soil is so dry that it is cracked, then it is necessary to water. If, when loosening, fresh, slightly damp soil is visible, it is too early to water.
Loosening
Thanks to the process of loosening around the sedum, unnecessary weeds are eliminated and the soil is enriched with oxygen. In addition to loosening, a mulching process is carried out, which keeps the soil in a loose state and enriches it with nutrients. Various mulches can be used for plants.
Top dressing
No special feeding is required for all types of sedum. For the season, it will be sufficient to apply fertilizer only twice: before flowering and after it. Apply liquid organic fertilizer using nitrogen in small quantities until flowers form. At the end of flowering, use complex fertilizer.
IMPORTANT! Fading sedums should be cut back in the fall. This promotes renewal and rejuvenation of plants.
Sedum types and varieties
Initially, the sedum genus consisted of approximately 600 species. Over time, the number of species decreased to 300. Currently, only about 100 species are bred and grown. Each type of sedum contains a large number of varieties that differ from the main type in the color of the stem, flowers and leaves. Photos of flowers clearly show the uniqueness of each species.
Sedum ácre
Perennial plant species. Has a thin root system. Numerous erect stems with fleshy dark green leaves. The inflorescence contains golden-yellow flowers, with a calyx length from 2 to 5 mm. Flowering lasts from mid-spring to late summer. Drought-resistant and winter-hardy. Acrid sedum is a honey plant, but its juice secretes a dangerous poison. The most popular varieties:
❀ Elegance(sedum elegans): similar to sea coral, contains foliage that is slightly curled in shape.
❀ Aureum(sedum aureum): characterized by the yellow color of the shoots at the tops.
❀ Blue Forest(sedum Blue Forest): has bluish leaves and bright flowers.
Morgan's Sedum (Sedum morganianum)
A perennial plant native to Mexico. Due to the densely foliated light green leaves and branches spreading up to 1.5 meters in length, the species received the second name “monkey tail”. Actinomorphic axillary flowers in the form of red-pink stars, located at the end of the stem, up to 2 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in early spring. The most common varieties of Sedum Morgana:
❀ Harry Butterfield(sedum Harry Butterfield): has pointed leaves that are lighter in color.
❀ Burrito(sedum burrito): characterized by rounded leaves with a bluish tint.
Sedum reflexum (sedum reflexum)
Evergreen perennial plant. Distributed in central and northern Europe, as well as in the central part of the Caucasus. Spreads low along the surface of the earth. Narrow bluish-green leaves are densely planted on short stems. They may also have a pink or silver tint. Blooming with yellow flowers lasts from June to July. Grows well at any temperature. Sedum reflexum is classified as an edible plant. The sour taste of sedum harmonizes perfectly in salads and in many dishes.
Type of false sedum (sedum spurium)
Perennial low-growing plants with creeping and erect stems. They grow in the southwestern part of Asia. In the Russian Federation - on the territory of the Caucasus. The oval-shaped middle leaves contain serrated edges. Small purple flowers are collected in dense inflorescences. As a result, the species has another name - purple carpet. They have winter hardiness. The main varieties of false sedum:
❀ False crimson sedum(sedum raspberry): characterized by crimson flowers with bronze shoots.
❀ Sedum false voodoo(sedum voodoo): has bright pink flowers and burgundy-red leaves.
❀ Rubens Lizard(sedum Rubens Lizard): features pinkish leaves with light pink flowers.
❀ Kokeinum(sedum coccineum): or red rose, with reddish-crimson flowers and red shoots.
Sedum spectabile
The homeland of sedum is East Asia, especially China. The tall species is characterized by an erect stem with light green leaves. The inflorescences contain small pink flowers. Flowering occurs in September. Popular varieties of prominent sedum:
❀ Matron(sedum matrona): has dark green leaves and light pink flowers. ❀ Neon(sedum neon): contains grayish leaves and pink inflorescences.
Kamchatka sedum (sedum kamtschaticum)
It is widespread in the Far East, on its rocky slopes. Belongs to a perennial, low-growing species. Contains erect stems with dark green leaves. The corymbose inflorescence contains yellow-orange flowers. Flowering – July - September. The root system has a lignified appearance. Tolerates winter well. Of all the varieties of this species, the variety “Golden Carpet”, which has bright yellow flowers, stands out the most.
White sedum (sedum album)
Perennial sedum is common in the north of our country. Forms a low creeping carpet of green stems and small leaves. The inflorescence is paniculate and contains fragrant snow-white flowers. It is winter-hardy and grows well in partial shade. The most common varieties:
❀ Hillebrandti(hillebrandtii): flowers are orange in summer and pink in winter.
Where to buy sedum seeds
The scientific and production association “Gardens of Russia” has been introducing the latest achievements in the selection of vegetable, fruit, berry and ornamental crops into the widespread practice of amateur gardening for 30 years. The association uses the most modern technologies and has created a unique laboratory for microclonal propagation of plants. The main tasks of the NPO "Gardens of Russia" is to provide gardeners with high-quality planting material for popular varieties of various garden plants and new world selections. Delivery of planting material (seeds, bulbs, seedlings) is carried out by Russian Post. We are waiting for you to shop:
Sedum white- Sedum album L ., 1753. Sedum teretifolium Lam., 1778. Sedum vermiculare Gateau, 1789. Leucosedum album (L.) Fourr, 1868. S. balticum Hartm. f., 1864. Oreosedum album (L.) Grulich, 1984, Sedum athoum DC., Sedum vermiculifolium P.Fourn.It is found in nature in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Western Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. It got its name from its fragrant white flowers. Its use in folk medicine has led to the appearance of a large number of folk names: God's Flower, Thunder Bean, Living Grass, Mylnik, Pchelnik, Skripun, Uzik, Tselistnik, Shestendelnik.
The plant is perennial, evergreen, glabrous, forming low mats up to 5 cm high in the vegetative state. The bases of the stems spread along the ground and are equipped with thin adventitious roots. Vegetative branches are short, with crowded thick oval or elliptical blunt leaves 7-10 mm long. Flowering shoots are straight, vertical, slightly reddening with thick, rolled alternate leaves 10-15 mm long, denser in the middle part of the peduncle. The inflorescence is paniculate from several branches bearing umbrellas with curls at the end. Flowers on short stalks, about 10 mm in diameter. The sepals are ovoid, obtuse, green, 2-3 times shorter than the petals. Petals are white, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, obtuse. The stamens are almost equal to the petals, white, the anthers are purple. Blooms in June-July.
In severe snowless winters it may partially fall out. Sometimes it gives active self-seeding. Grows well in partial shade and sun. Typical coloring appears only on poor, dry soils. After flowering, pruning or plucking out faded shoots is required. Aged clumps bloom weakly. Used to create “background” spots in rocky gardens, to secure slopes, and is effective in the foreground of a mixborder. It is better to plant in compositions with low ground cover plants. The individual flowering branches with drooping inflorescences against the background of a low mat of vegetative shortened shoots are very beautiful.
An unpretentious and drought-resistant plant. The varieties listed below are winter-hardy in central Russia, however, there are forms from North Africa and the Mediterranean, for example " Ibiza" ("Ibiza") from the Spanish island of the same name, which most likely will not spend the winter with us. New variety " Bella d'Inverno"("Bella d"Inverno") with cream tops of shoots, selected in Sicily, not tested in the Moscow region. Natural forms and tall varieties are somewhat burdensome on the hills, as they grow strongly and are capable of multiplying, rooting the slightest torn piece of shoot. Rugs made from them partially lose their decorative effect when the faded shoots dry out. After mass flowering, even quite large “holes” appear in the carpets, which gradually heal. Due to their undemanding requirements for soil and moisture, they can quickly cover the most unsuitable places for plants - stone roofs, walls, areas covered with gravel or crushed stone. Used as ground cover, replacing small lawns, in countries with hot and dry climates. Low-growing varieties look great on hills, in containers, and in carpet beds.
Sedum album f. atropurpureum
Photo of the Nursery "Northern Flora"
Very changeable appearance. It has been in the culture for a long time. It has a number of garden forms and varieties, the most common varieties being:
"Coral Carpet"(“Coral Carpet”) - a bush no more than 5 cm tall, the leaves are reddish, turning red in autumn. Often what is sold under this name is something completely different - an ordinary tall, reddened, white sedum.
"Atom" ("Athoum") - a form with hemispherical leaves, flat on top, turning red in the summer in the sun.
"Laconicum"("Laconicum") - tall with green, densely set thick leaves, sometimes reddened, similar to "Athoum".
"Rubrifolium"("Rubrifolium") - a sport (mutation) of white wall sedum with red leaves without brown tints in summer and dark green in winter.
"Faro Form"("Faro Form") - the lowest variety with tiny leaves, up to 3 mm long, forming mats up to 1 cm high. The inflorescences are also very short. In the summer it turns red in the sun and then turns brown." France"("France") - tall, with long green leaves, turns slightly pink in the sun.
"Hillebrandti" (Hillebrandtii) is a large green variety that turns orange-red in summer, sometimes retaining a pink tint in winter.
Shapes:
Small-flowered white sedum(S. album var. micranthum subvar. chloroticum) is a low plant, with pure green, never-reddening spherical leaves and white flowers. Non-flowering mats are no higher than 2 cm, in bloom - about 4 cm. Widely distributed in culture.
White wall sedum(S. album f. murale) - tall and profusely flowering, with bronze or purple leaves and pink flowers.
White wall sedum "Kristatum"(S. album f. murale "Cristatum") - the overgrown ends of the shoots are densely planted with leaves.
The white sedum variety is also popular small-stamened(Sedum album var. micranthum), the plants of which bear small spherical leaves that look like emerald beads. In cultivation, a form with dark-colored leaves is often found ( f. atropurpurea).
But even without this, such plants become the central elements of any landscape design. Sedum can be classified as such plants. This is a herbaceous plant with an inconspicuous appearance and flowers, but with its help you can create incredibly interesting and beautiful garden compositions. This is also facilitated by the unpretentiousness of sedum to soil and care.
In this article we will look at the features and description of sedum, as well as the differences between the most common types and varieties of this plant. We will tell you in more detail about the main nuances of agricultural technology for growing sedum.
Features and description of sedum
Sedum is a succulent of the Crassulaceae family. Another name for this plant is sedum, although people can also find hernia, fever herb. Sedum is a perennial, less often annual or biennial herbaceous plant. In nature, this plant grows in the Northern Hemisphere, but it can be found almost everywhere where there are conditions for this. Most of all, the sedum plant is found in nature in Africa, North and South America, and Europe.
The very name of the plant “sedum” comes from the Latin word “sedo”, which means “to subside” or “to subside”. This is explained quite simply, because previously many varieties of sedum were used as a painkiller. Even today this plant is used in folk medicine.
There is a very interesting story about the origin of this plant. It says that Telephos, the son of Hercules, was able to heal with sedum a severe wound that was inflicted on him with a spear. This plant has also been used for a long time by Christian believers on one of the Orthodox holidays. Many of today's church rituals are based on pagan principles, according to which on the Feast of Corpus Christi it is necessary to weave a wreath of sedum to ward off evil spirits. And they hang such a decoration on the door, but you cannot throw it away, but you must wait until it dries and crumbles.
Description of sedum:
- Sedum is most often a perennial plant, although annual and biennial species are sometimes found.
- Sedum grows in the form of a herbaceous plant or a small shrub.
- The stem of this plant can be erect, creeping, or turf-forming. In all cases the stem is highly branched.
- The most recognizable feature of the sedum is its thick and fleshy leaves, which can be smooth on the surface or lightly covered with stiff hairs.
- The leaves of sedum are alternate, can be opposite or whorled, which are collected in rosettes of various shapes.
- The leaves are entire with a serrated edge, of various colors depending on the specific variety of sedum.
- The flowers of these succulents are star-shaped and can be of a variety of colors: yellow, pink, snow-white, red.
- Sedum flowers are collected in apical, racemose or umbellate inflorescences. Some varieties of sedum bloom with single flowers.
- The flowers are bisexual, well pollinated, and have an aroma that attracts insects.
- The inflorescences are very dense and consist of a large number of small flowers.
- Sedum blooms twice: in spring and autumn.
- There are frost-resistant species and plants that can only be grown indoors.
- These are very light-loving plants that in nature prefer to grow on rocky surfaces, forming real carpets.
- An unpretentious sedum, planting and caring for which is not difficult, is a wonderful decoration for any site and garden.
Variety of types and varieties of sedum
In total, today there are about 300 species of sedum, of which only about 100 are cultivated. All sedum plants are divided into two large groups. The first group includes dwarf creeping varieties, which are called sedums. The second, more numerous, group includes tall species called sedum. Let's take a closer look at the features of the sedum species popular in our territories.
Sedum large
- In nature, this type of sedum prefers to grow in temperate climates of Europe and Asia.
- This is a perennial herbaceous plant that can reach 25-30 cm in height.
- The stem of this plant is erect and quite thick.
- The leaves are oval in shape with a serrated edge, arranged oppositely or alternately.
- The flowers are small, collected in dense corymbose inflorescences, which are located at the very tops. The color of the flowers can be red or yellowish-green.
- One of the features of large sedum is that it is used in folk medicine.
- This species is often used by breeders to develop new plant varieties.
Popular varieties of large sedum:
- Variety "Matrona". A rather tall plant that can reach 60 cm. The stem is densely strewn with blue-green leaves with a reddish edge. The flowers have a light pink tint.
- Variety "Black Jack". It can grow up to 40 cm in height. Its leaves have an unusual shade - bluish-purple. Blooms with pink inflorescences.
- Variety "Linda Windsor". The plant is formed by erect stems of burgundy color, which are covered with reddish leaves. The plant blooms with ruby-colored inflorescences.
Sedum prominent
- The homeland of this type of sedum is the territory of China, Japan and Korea.
- A rather tall bush, which is formed by erect stems reaching a height of 60 cm.
- The leaves are light green and small in size.
- The flowers are small, collected in dense inflorescences. They have a pink tint.
- The prominent sedum blooms in September for 25-30 days.
Popular varieties of prominent sedum:
- Iceberg variety. An erect bush up to 35 cm in height. Its flowering begins in August. The flowers are small, collected in inflorescences. The color of the flowers is white.
- Variety "Diamond". This variety of sedum is distinguished by bright pink flowers.
- Variety "Neon". The plant can grow up to 35 cm in height. The stem is covered with gray-green leaves and bright pink inflorescences.
Sedum white
- The natural habitat of this vila is considered to be Russia, the Caucasus, Europe and North Africa.
- This plant is an evergreen perennial that forms a carpet up to 5 cm in height.
- The flowers are white and very fragrant, collected in paniculate inflorescences.
- The plant itself consists of short branches, thanks to which the sedum creates a kind of flower carpet.
- A fairly unpretentious plant that can easily withstand harsh winters.
Popular varieties of white sedum
- Variety "Coral Carpet". A dwarf plant that can reach 5 cm in height, creating a carpet on the surface of the earth. It has reddish foliage.
- Variety "Pharo Form". A very dwarf variety of sedum that forms a carpet of only 1 cm in height. It is distinguished by very small leaves, which are reddish in summer and brown in winter.
- Variety "France". A rather tall sedum, densely covered with elongated green leaves, which turn pink with enough sunlight.
Sedum acrid
- The natural habitat is considered to be the territory of western Russia, Siberia, the Caucasus and North America.
- A perennial branched plant that can reach a height of 10 cm, thereby being a ground cover plant.
- The stems are very branched and densely covered with dark green foliage.
- Sedum acrid flowers have a bright golden yellow hue.
- The juice of this plant can cause ulcers if it comes into contact with the skin, hence the name of the entire species.
Popular varieties of sedum caustic:
- Variety "Aureum". The plant of this variety is distinguished by yellowish tips of its shoots.
- Variety "Elegance". A low-growing variety of this species with variegated, slightly curled foliage.
Sedum Kamchatka
- The natural habitat of this species is the territory of Japan, China and the Far East.
- The plant is formed by thick, slightly erect shoots that are covered with foliage.
- In some forms of Kamchatka sedum, the foliage has a white border along the edge.
- Blooms with yellow-orange flowers.
Sedum false
- The natural habitat of false sedum is considered to be the territory of Iran, the Caucasus and Turkey.
- It is a perennial plant with creeping or erect stems.
- The leaves are oval-shaped with a thickly toothed edge.
- The flowers are small purple or pink, collected in dense paniculate inflorescences.
- It has good winter hardiness.
- Being short in stature, it looks great in flower beds, alpine slides, and on terraces.
Popular varieties of false sedum:
- Variety "Album". This is a perennial plant with dark green foliage and snow-white inflorescences.
- Variety "Bronze Carpet". A sedum variety with bronzed-brown leaves and pink inflorescences.
- Variety "Erd Blue". A very bright plant variety that has reddish foliage and pink inflorescences.
Reproduction of sedum: the most common methods
It’s easy to grow sedum on your own site. To do this, you need to know the ways in which this plant reproduces. In total, there are three most common methods of propagating sedum: seed, cuttings and dividing the bush. Let's look at the features of each of them.
Seed propagation of sedum
- The best time to plant sedum using seeds is spring, more specifically March or April.
- First of all, to grow sedum from seeds, you need to prepare boxes or containers.
- Next, fill all containers with a suitable soil mixture, which should consist of garden soil and sand.
- Carefully, at a distance of about 3 cm from each other, sow the sedum seeds on the surface of the substrate. You can sprinkle clean river sand on top.
- Using a spray bottle, moisten the soil surface and cover the top with glass or film to create greenhouse conditions.
- Next, the seeds need to be stratified. To do this, place the container in the refrigerator, in the vegetable department, where the temperature is on average 3-4 degrees.
- The stratification process lasts approximately 2 weeks, during which the container must constantly be ventilated and the substrate moistened.
- After 2 weeks, the containers should be placed in a room with a temperature of 20 degrees.
- For 2-4 weeks, the containers should be covered with film, and be sure to ventilate and moisten them daily.
- Shoots will appear in about 2-4 weeks. They are very small, so remove the film only after a large number of seedlings appear.
- After the seedlings have two leaves, they need to be plucked.
- Such plants will bloom only after 2-3 years. At the same time, remember that an already adult sedum plant grown from seeds can be hybridized during the growth process. Seed propagation is most often used by breeders.
Reproduction of sedum by cuttings
- This method is the fastest and easiest, especially for beginner gardeners.
- On average, approximately 70-100% of cuttings take root.
- It is first necessary to prepare the area for rooting cuttings. To do this, they dig it up and level it well.
- Sedum cuttings can be used for propagation before or after the plant blooms.
- You need to cut them approximately 5-10 cm long.
- Be sure to free the lower part from leaves.
- Then root the planting material in the greenhouse so that at least one node remains on the surface.
- Then the rooted cuttings are immediately planted in a permanent place.
- Alternatively, in the fall after flowering, you can cut off several shoots of sedum and place them in a container with water.
- The water needs to be changed periodically and thus by spring you will receive a large number of ready-made seedlings.
Reproduction of sedum by dividing the bush
- This method of propagation is most often used for tall species and varieties of sedum.
- It is recommended to carry out propagation using this method in early spring.
- A healthy and strong plant must be carefully dug up.
- Next, using a sharp shovel or pruning shears, you need to divide the rhizome into several parts. The main thing is that each part has buds and roots.
- Then all cut areas must be treated with fungicides for healing.
- After this, all parts of the bush need to be dried for some time and then planted in a permanent place.
Stages of preparation before planting sedum
Although sedum is considered an unpretentious and frost-resistant plant, before planting it in open ground it is necessary to carefully prepare. It is important to choose high-quality and healthy seedlings, as well as choose a suitable place on your site for normal plant growth.
Stage 1. Selection of sedum seedlings
You can buy sedum at any specialized store or agricultural company that professionally breeds plants. When purchasing seedlings, be sure to carefully inspect the plant. There should be no visible damage or signs of disease or pests. The leaves should not be dry or limp, and the soil in the container must be clean and moist.
Before purchasing sedum, be sure to decide on your future garden composition, because all varieties of this plant differ in leaf color, shoot height and frost resistance. You can consult a specialty store about varieties suitable for your area. Select shorter varieties for forming flower carpets, and tall plants for group and single plantings.
Stage 2. Choosing a place to plant sedum
The planting location is also important for the normal and full growth and flowering of sedum. They thrive in a sunny, open location, although some varieties can tolerate light shade. It is in the sun that the decorative properties of foliage stand out clearly. In shady areas, the stems of the sedum can stretch very much, which radically changes and spoils its appearance. Creeping and groundcover varieties of this plant can grow on stones or rocky places. It is not recommended to plant all types of sedum under deciduous garden trees, because in the spring young shoots will not be able to break through from under the fallen leaves.
When choosing a planting site, it is important to consider the height of the future plant and the color of its foliage in order to more harmoniously combine with other plants.
Stage 3. Selection and preparation of soil
Sedum is an unpretentious plant and can grow well in a variety of soils. However, all types of this plant require a specific composition for full growth. Fast-growing groundcover sedum varieties prefer to grow in nutrient-rich garden soil, while regular ones can grow in loam. Some species, for example, caustic sedum, prefer to grow on sandy soils. Caucasian sedum loves soils rich in lime. All this must be taken into account when choosing a place to plant your chosen sedum variety.
The area you have chosen must first be carefully dug up, about one shovel bayonet deep. It is also recommended to add a little humus or compost to the existing soil.
Technology for planting sedum in open ground
- The best time to plant sedum in open ground is mid or late May, when the threat of return frosts has finally passed.
- Be sure to prepare the site before planting. To do this, you need to make a soil mixture, which should consist of sand and humus, you can add garden soil.
- In the selected area, be sure to prepare planting holes, the size of which should be as follows: a depth of at least 20 cm and a diameter of at least 50 cm.
- There should also be a certain distance between plants so that in the future they do not interfere with each other’s growth. It must be at least 20 cm.
- A small layer of drainage can be placed at the bottom of each hole, since sedum does not like prolonged stagnation of water at the roots. Gravel or coarse sand can be used as drainage.
- Next, carefully fill the planting holes with part of the soil mixture that you prepared in advance.
- Plant the sedum seedlings and sprinkle them with the remaining mixture, gently pressing them with your hands.
- After planting, you need to water each plant generously.
- You can also cover the soil around the plants with small stones.
Agricultural technology for growing sedum: secrets and nuances of care
Undoubtedly, sedum is a very unpretentious plant and can grow in almost any soil and anywhere. However, without proper care for the sedum, it is unlikely to please you with a beautiful and lush bush and abundant flowering. Do not be alarmed; the process of caring for this plant will not cause you any particular difficulties. Everything is very simple: timely watering, loosening, fertilizing and winter shelter for specific varieties.
Watering
It is important to remember that sedum does not like strong waterlogging. Young plants must be watered regularly, but moderately. You can navigate by the dryness of the soil around the plant. If the soil has already dried out, then you can start watering. Older plants, even in hot summers, need less frequent watering.
Loosening and mulching
Plants such as sedums absolutely cannot stand the proximity of weeds, so periodically after watering you need to do weeding. At the same time, it is recommended to loosen the soil around the sedum, making it lighter and more saturated with oxygen. Depending on the garden composition, you can use different mulches. As a decorative element, the soil around the plant can be filled with small stones or pieces of bark.
Top dressing
All types of sedum are not particularly demanding when it comes to feeding. However, fertilizer can be added twice a season for more abundant flowering and foliage growth. The first time fertilizer is applied before flowering. You can use an aqueous solution with manure and a small amount of nitrogen. It is better to feed the plant a second time after flowering has ended, using complex mineral fertilizers.
Disease and pest control
Sedum has good resistance to disease and pest invasion. However, occasionally this plant may need your help.
- Rot. This is a fungal disease that can appear in a plant if it is not cared for properly. Its symptoms: dark spots on leaves and stems. If such signs are detected, the damaged areas must be cut off and burned, and the entire plant must be treated with special fungicides.
Pests:
- Aphid. This pest can damage the leaves of the plant, depleting them. To combat aphids, it is recommended to use insecticides, but they need to be diluted in a smaller volume than recommended. Sedum can get burned.
- Nematodes. A very serious pest that primarily attacks the root system of the plant. After this, the entire above-ground part of the sedum withers and dries out. There are no measures to combat this pest, so damaged plants should be dug up and burned. In this case, it is necessary to treat the place where the plant grew.
- Weevil. It is recommended to remove this pest by hand.
Preparing for winter
Before the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to prune all shoots of the plant. Also, if you are growing more exotic varieties of sedum, you may want to consider covering the plant. To do this, the soil around it can be mulched and covered with covering material. In the spring it will need to be removed and the soil freed from excess material so that nothing interferes with the growth of young shoots.
Using sedum in landscape design
Sedum is a very beautiful and ornamental plant, because each of its species has its own unique foliage color. It is this feature that landscape designers very often use to create the most incredible and unique garden compositions.
- Low-growing creeping or ground-covering varieties of sedum will look great as an element of rockeries, alpine slides or mixborders.
- Ground cover varieties of this plant are often used to create picturesque flower carpets among the lawn or on a small hill.
- Many varieties of this type of succulent feel great surrounded by stones, so they can be planted in rocky gardens.
- Tall varieties of sedum are recommended to be planted in groups, so they look more harmonious and beautiful.
- Creeping varieties can also be planted along borders or garden paths.
- Alternatively, some varieties of sedum thrive in pots that can be placed on steps or around the garden.
Photo of sedum in landscape design
You can more clearly see the features of the appearance of sedum and options for its use in landscape design in the photos below.
Sedum, without any particular bright colors in its appearance, can be an excellent decoration for your garden. At the same time, you will not need any special effort or expense when planting and growing it.
Sedum, or sedum, does not amaze with its striking beauty, but still it is loved by many gardeners. Various varieties of sedum are successfully used in landscape design: after all, the modest beauty of these plants (this is well conveyed by the photo) will decorate the flower arrangements of the garden. Although this perennial plant is quite unpretentious, it will still require proper care. This article describes in detail all the secrets of planting and growing sedum in open ground.
Sedum: description and varieties
Sedum, or sedum, belongs to the genus of succulents, the Crassulaceae family. Sedum is a herbaceous plant, although most types of sedum are perennial, but annual and biennial ones are also found. Sedum has spread throughout the planet, choosing to live in places with a temperate climate and bright sun, but it is more widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sedum is beautiful with its leaves even when it is not blooming
There are about 500 known varieties of sedum, which in appearance may be completely different from each other. Most species of sedum are low-growing, creeping and turf-forming; shrubs or subshrubs are less common. Flowers come in a variety of colors: white, yellow, greenish, pink, dark red and even blue.
The most common varieties of sedum used in landscape design:
- Sedum prominent- a bush with tall straight stems (up to 60 cm in height), with light green thick leaves. The prominent sedum blooms in September, and throughout the month its flowers, united in baskets of inflorescences, delight the eye with a beautiful pink hue.
Sedum prominent
- Sedum telefium- a perennial shrub with unusually beautiful dark purple leaves. Flowers of red or bright pink color are collected in spectacular thyroid inflorescences.
Sedum telefium
- Sedum compact- a perennial plant characterized by strong stems with gray-green leaves of an oblong ovoid shape. The flowers of this species are white, with a rich aroma.
Sedum compact
- Sedum false- a perennial plant that is very popular among gardeners, due to the fact that its branches form a beautiful covering that serves to decorate carpet beds.
Sedum false
- Sedum acrid- frost-resistant perennial plant. Thickets of sedum form a turf carpet on the soil, which covers the ground all year round - this type of sedum does not lose leaves in the fall. Sedum comes in different varieties, which vary in shape and size, but they all have flowers of an invariably bright poisonous yellow color.
Sedum acrid
- Sedum reflexum(recurving) - a very unusual plant with thick curved stems dotted with densely arranged, needle-like leaves. The plant resembles many strange hairy caterpillars gathered together. And these cute caterpillars form very picturesque mats of green shades, about 20 cm high.
Sedum reflexum
Planting sedum (sedum) in open ground
Sedum is an unpretentious plant, so growing it in open ground is not too troublesome. For planting most plant varieties, you should choose well-lit areas.
Attention! If you plant a light-loving plant in a shaded place, it will lose its attractiveness, the leaves will lose their healthy freshness and fleshiness, the stems will stretch out and become exhausted, and the plant will not bloom.
Light soil with good drainage, without stagnant moisture, is suitable for sedum. If the garden plot has heavy soil with poor water permeability, then it is necessary to prepare a special place in the open ground for planting sedum.
The first thing a sedum needs is a sufficient amount of sunlight.
To do this you need:
- prepare the soil: take sand and humus in a ratio of 3:1 and stir well;
- dig a hole in the ground 20 cm deep, the diameter of which should be approximately 50 cm;
- fill the hole with the prepared mixture;
- plant plants;
- Sprinkle the soil around the seedling with fine crushed stone or gravel.
If everything is done correctly, the sedum will grow and bloom well. The best time to plant sedum is from the second ten days of May to mid-October.
Place fine gravel around the sedum
Reproduction of sedum
You can plant sedum using any of three methods of propagation: seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush.
Propagation by seeds
The seed method can be used in two ways. Simply sow the seeds in the soil at the place of “permanent residence”, in previously prepared soil. The best time for sowing seeds: late April - early May.
Advice! The seeds do not need to be planted very deeply in the ground, since the seedlings are very delicate and will not be able to break through a thick ball of earth. It is better to sow them on top of the soil and cover them with a thin layer of sand.
The second method is to plant seedlings in the flower garden. To do this, fill the flower box with a mixture of earth, sand and humus (1:1:2), water lightly, sow the seeds (as mentioned above) and cover with glass or film. When the emerging seedlings have already grown up, they can be transplanted into open ground.
Sedum seeds
Important! You need to know that sedum grown from seed does not bloom in the first summer.
Reproduction by cuttings
To obtain a cutting suitable for planting, any mature sedum stem will do. You need to cut off part of the stem and plant it in a pre-prepared place, deepening it 3 cm into the soil.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
Every 5 years, the sedum needs to be replanted to a new location. It's better to do this in the spring. The plant should be dug up, and the overgrown bush should be divided into 3-4 bushes. Fracture areas must be treated with powdered activated carbon. Dry the bushes for a couple of hours in a dark place and you can plant them.
The culture reproduces painlessly by dividing the bush
Care and fertilization
Although sedum is not a capricious plant, it nevertheless needs care. Young shoots definitely need watering as the soil dries out, but it should be remembered that excess moisture is harmful to them. An adult plant, if the summer is not particularly hot, does not need frequent watering. You need to make sure that there are no weeds around the sedum - it does not like such a neighborhood.
Advice! In the fall, after flowering has stopped, the sedum needs to be pruned - all shoots must be removed. This promotes renewal and rejuvenation of the plant. During the dormant period, if necessary, you need to cover the plant so that it does not freeze.
Sedum should be fed with fertilizers twice a season: before flowering and when the plant has finished blooming. For feeding, you can buy special mineral and organic fertilizers. An aqueous solution of manure with nitrogen is especially useful for sedum. But do not overfeed the plant too much - this reduces its resistance to the negative influences of weather conditions.
Do not overwater the plant, otherwise its roots may rot.
Pests and diseases
Although the sedum does not suffer too much from diseases and pests, there are some that pose a danger to it.
Sedum in landscape design and combination with other plants
Sedum is very decorative, and each variety is interesting in its own way. It is used by gardeners in landscape design to create beautiful compositions. But usually it is planted in combination with other plants to decorate flower beds, rockeries or alpine slides.
Sedum in landscape design
As a single plant, sedum is best planted in groups - this way they look very picturesque. For example: ground cover sedums look gorgeous in individual clearings, where they form large lush carpets.
The borders of flower beds and paths lined with “creeping” sedum look very impressive. Sedums planted in pots look quite beautiful - they can decorate a terrace or staircase or be used as a decorative element of landscape design.
Unpretentious sedum: video
Varieties and varieties of sedum: photos
Many gardeners and flower lovers are very fond of sedum or, as it is also called, sedum. This flower looks quite modest, but at the same time very original. Some varieties of sedum are very often used by landscape designers to create carpets on their basis in garden plots in the form of some kind of pattern.
Most varieties of sedum are short-growing, but there are also tall varieties with abundant flowering. There are evergreen and fall-losing sedums, annual and perennial sedums. We will tell you what types there are, what are the features of planting and caring for these flowers. You will also see photos of some samples.
Key features of sedum and its photos
A characteristic feature of sedum is dense and fleshy leaves with a bluish coating. But the inflorescences consist of small but lush small flowers of different shades. The leaves are able to change color when exposed to sunlight, which gives the flower additional attractiveness. Also, sedums are able to adapt well to different conditions of detention and, depending on them, change their color; they can be:
- brown;
- burgundy;
- green.
Identical types of sedums that grow in different areas may not look alike from each other. In the photo you can see how different the different varieties of sedums differ in appearance.
Classification of varieties
There are more than 500 different varieties of sedum. However, only a few are the most popular flowers among gardeners. Below you can see the characteristics and photos of some varieties of sedum.
Sedum prominent
The variety native to Asia. It is common in Japan, China and Korea. The flower has straight, long stems up to 60 cm high. Both the stems themselves and the leaves are juicy and fleshy, and have a light shade. The inflorescences of such a sedum can have a diameter of up to 15 cm, the flowers are small and fluffy pink, although sometimes they are red, white, and even variegated.
Sedum purple and white
Purple sedum is common in many countries in Europe and Asia. In particular, in Russia it is found almost throughout the entire territory with the exception of the Arctic zone. Sedum begins to produce inflorescences towards the end of summer - beginning of autumn. The stems are straight and low, growing to a maximum height of 30 cm. The leaves are green with jagged edges. The flower inflorescences have a bright purple color.
White sedum distributed in Europe and North Africa. It belongs to the category of evergreen plants, its stems are low - up to 20 cm maximum. The root is creeping, the foliage is small and has an elongated shape. The flowers are white and the inflorescences are paniculate. Flowering occurs in mid-summer and lasts about a month. The color comes in both white and pink-purple. Such a sedum covers the ground with a continuous “carpet” on which there are many flowers. It is better to plant in the sun and keep the soil well moistened.
Acrid sedum and large
This type of sedum is poisonous, however, in limited doses it is used as a medicine. Distributed in Europe and in Russia, it mainly grows on river shallows and pine forests. The foliage is dense, rich green in color, and the leaves themselves are small and oval or triangular in cross section. The flowers resemble stars in appearance and are bright yellow in color. This type of sedum blooms for a month in the middle or at the end of summer. The stem is low, only 10 cm.
This variety of sedum, like the large one, is common in Western Europe and on the Mediterranean coast. It belongs to the category of perennials, has tall and even stems of a red-green hue. The leaves are large and elongated, oval in shape. The flowers are not too bright, most often light pink.
Other types of sedum
There are also several popular varieties of sedum that gardeners love:
- tenacious - grows in the Far East and Siberia. The stems have a maximum height of 30 cm. The foliage is succulent, dense and jagged, elongated. The flowers resemble stars and have a bright yellow color;
- Sedum Evers - most often found in the mountains - the Himalayas, Altai, Central Asia and China. Its peculiarity is that such a plant spreads across the ground like a thick carpet. The stems are straight and low. The leaves are round and wide, have a bluish coating. The flowers are small and light pink;
- Morgan's sedum is an attractive plant that comes from Mexico. The shoots of this sedum are long and studded with abundantly fleshy leaves of blue-green color. Well suited for planting in hanging flowerpots;
- thick-leaved - the leaves of the flower look especially good here. They are elongated, their length can reach 4 cm. The tips of the leaves have a red tint.
How to grow sedums correctly
Sedums are good because they are distinguished by their unpretentiousness in terms of cultivation and care. This is why gardeners love them. Almost any soil is suitable for planting, even the poorest. Under natural conditions, sedum can also grow on stones, even a minimal piece of soil is enough for them.
But profusely flowering varieties require fertile soil, they should be fertilized and watered regularly. And ordinary varieties do not need additional watering, unless the summer is very dry. Flowers can rot due to excess liquid, and not vice versa.
An important component of caring for sedums is the presence of sun. Under the influence of rays, the leaves acquire a rich and attractive shade. And in the absence of light in the required amount, the flower will lose its attractiveness.
Most varieties of sedum no need to fertilize, but even those that bloom profusely do not require much feeding.
Without transplantation, sedum can grow for 5 years, then it can be rejuvenated as follows:
- trim old branches;
- sprinkle with fresh soil;
- replant the young plant.
To ensure that the plant is always in perfect condition, as part of caring for it, you need to constantly trim those parts that protrude above its surface. But the sedum itself cannot cope with weeds; here you need to weed the ground. The exception is the caustic variety, which releases toxic substances and does not allow such “neighborhood”.
Planting sedums
There is nothing complicated about planting here, as well as about care. Please note the following:
- The landing site should be well lit by the sun;
- the soil must not allow water to pass through to prevent rotting. It is best to plant the plant in sandy or sandy loam soil, but if the soil is loamy, then before planting the sedum it must be fertilized with a baking powder in the form of peat or sand;
- Do not overexpose the planting material to prevent the stems from stretching. Such a sedum will not be able to develop normally.
Sedums reproduce in three ways:
- through seeds;
- dividing bushes;
- cuttings.
Reproduction of sedum
Reproduction using seeds is quite complex in practice and can only be done by specialist breeders. In garden conditions, dividing the bush is carried out in the spring until it is four years old. For older plants this is unlikely to be feasible.
That is why cuttings are the most common method of propagating sedum among gardeners. It can be stem or leaf. Rooting is easy, so planting in the ground is possible within a couple of weeks.
Planting stages
It is done like this:
- preparing the area for planting;
- scatter the tops of the plant shoots, previously cut, on it;
- sprinkle them with a centimeter of soil;
- compact;
- water as needed.
There is another method of cuttings, which carried out in the cold season. First, after the sedum blooms, the cuttings on the flowering shoots are cut off, then they are stored in a dry place for several months. At this time, the sedum becomes overgrown with shoots and roots. When the roots grow to 5 cm, you can begin planting.
Some gardeners like to experiment in terms of planting sedums: planting different varieties of them and observing subsequent offspring.
Rules for planting at home
Almost all varieties of sedum need to be replanted periodically. If it is a young specimen, then approximately once every 2 years, and an adult requires this once every 4 years.
Young cuttings need to be planted especially carefully and carefully, since otherwise there is a risk of damage to the stem or root. Also, do not allow the young shoots to be exposed to direct sunlight.
For the cutting, it is better to choose a stem as long as possible; when cutting from the main part, you should leave a 5-centimeter shoot, and chop the removed part into 10-centimeter sectors.
At home, in addition to cuttings, you can use dry sedum leaves. They burrow as deep as possible into the soil and produce young shoots within a few weeks.
Choosing a pot for sedum
The most important thing is refuse plastic structures when planting sedums in a pot. You also need to choose it according to its shape. This is because sedums have a horizontal root system, so if the pot is too deep, they won't like it.
The best option is a wide and shallow pot.
Choosing soil for growing in a pot
When planting sedums, it is very important to choose and prepare the soil correctly. It is very important that it has low acidity.
You can prepare the mixture yourself based on components such as:
- coarse river sand;
- turf;
- rotten leaves;
- peat.
The soil should be uniform and loose. To make its structure better, you can add brick chips there. And it is better to equip the bottom of the pot with an abundant drainage layer. The soil should not be wet when planting.
You need to ensure that the environment for planting sedum is favorable several days in advance. Loosen the soil and water it generously. And after a few days, check the top layer for moisture. If it is not there, then you can start planting the plant.
After planting, sedum should be protected from exposure to sunlight for several days. And then you can safely place on the sunny side. The room with the plant needs to be ventilated approximately once every few hours. At this time, you should not water it abundantly.