Sedum 'Autumn Joy'*

*scientifically reclassified. Now call Hylotelephium

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a common plant, for good reason. It is extraordinarily easy to grow in average to dry soil in full sun. It requires no care after planting and provides four season of interest in the garden. It is one of the first plants to emerge in our garden - the adorable little green rosettes begin poking out of the snow in February! In spring, they form lovely globe-shaped green mounds that look almost like topiaries. As summer progresses, they lose the perfect rounded shape, but begin producing green buds that look a bit like broccoli. By September, they burst into bloom and all the bees in our garden flock to the light pink flowers. The pink flowers slowly darken to a deep crimson by October. Finally, the flowers dry on the stems and remain attractive all winter.

As if that weren't enough, this plant is extremely easy to propagate by cutting or division. We have had new plants form from leaves that dropped on the ground. Yet, these plants are not wild spreaders.

Distinctions: Winner of an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society

Zones: 3 to 9

Family: Crassulaceae

Type: Deciduous Perennial

Height: 18 in. to 36 in.

Width: 18 in. to 36 in.

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Conditions: Average to dry

Bloom Time: September to October

Native Range: Eurasia