Caucasian Stonecrop
Sedum spurium

Family: Crassulaceae

What it is like

Sedum spurium is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Rocks in moist regions in the middle and upper alpine zones.

E. Europe - Caucasus. A garden escape in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are thick and juicy but somewhat astringent and with a slight bitterness.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position. It requires weeding for the first year or so.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Established plants are drought tolerant. Tolerates poor soils. Hardy to about -5°c. A mat-forming plant, it is very invasive. The flowers of this species are white or pink. All members of this genus are said to have edible leaves, though those species that have yellow flowers can cause stomach upsets if they are eaten in quantity. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in spring in well-drained soil in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made, it is possible to plant them out during the summer, otherwise keep them in a cold-frame or greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year. Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season, though is probably best done in spring or early summer. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Phedimus spurius. Sedum ciliare. Sedum congestum. Sedum crenatum. Sedum dentatum. Sedum denticulatum