Sedum
Sedum aizoon
Family: Crassulaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Orange, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Sedum aizoon is a basionym of: Phedimus aizoon (L.) 't Hart in H. 't Hart & U. Eggli (eds.), Evol. & Syst. Crassulac. 168 (1995). Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.
Sedum aizoon is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate. 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. It is noted for attracting wildlife. 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): 0.4
Where it is found
Dry grassy slopes, dry shrub thickets, dry meadows, rock streams and sandy cliffs.
E. Asia - Siberia to Japan. A garden escape in N. and C. Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves and young stems - raw or cooked. There is a definite bitterness in the flavour, few people would want to eat them as a regular part of their diet.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is used medicinally. No further information is given.
Other
Rating:
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Rock garden. A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, tolerating those on the poor side, though it prefers a fertile well-drained soil. Established plants are drought tolerant although it prefers a soil that stays moist in the summer. Requires a sunny position. Hardy to -15°c according to one report whilst another says that it is hardy to about -25°c. A polymorphic species. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers of this plant. All members of this genus are said to have edible leaves, though those species, such as this one, 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. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Attractive flowers or blooms.
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: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-10
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Although not poisonous, if large quantities of this plant are eaten it can cause a stomach upset.