Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Hylotelephium Herbstfreude ‘Autumn Joy’

Characteristics

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun, Sedum Stonecrop ‘Autumn Joy’ thrives in sandy to gravelly soils of moderate to low fertility. Tolerates some light part shade in hot summer climates, but will produce weak floppy growth when grown in too much shade or in overly rich soils. Needs good soil drainage to perform well. Drought tolerant. Propagate by divisions in spring or stem cuttings in summer. Detached leaves can be rooted in soil to form new plants. Plants may be cut back in late spring to control height.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hylotelephium Herbstfreude ‘Autumn Joy’, a clump-forming perennial, produces masses of tiny, star-like blooms which emerge as rosy pink, gradually change to deep rose-red, and then turn coppery-rust in autumn as they die. Flowers appear in large (3-6 inches across) flattened heads atop stems of grayish-green, fleshy, rounded, succulent-like leaves growing in upright to slightly spreading clumps, typically to 2′ tall. Commonly called Stonecrop, in reference to the frequent sighting of the genus in the wild growing on rocks or stony ledges. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is attractive to butterflies throughout the growing season. As fall approaches, the flowers turn to red and are even more appealing, drawing butterflies and other pollinators. Foliage and dead inflorescences persist well into the winter providing some additional interest.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs, scale, mealybugs, nematodes, aphids and weevils may appear.

Garden Uses

Rock gardens or border fronts. Specimen or groups. Containers.

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Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder