Many-sided, and often for this reason unrecognizable, sedum is a decorative and medicinal plant, which can decorate the garden in any form. A succulent plant from the Crassulaceae family can look like a lush flowering bush or a creeping carpet of stems with dense, fleshy leaves of various colors.
Sedum will successfully disguise flaws in design garden plot or empty spaces in flower beds, it will grow beautifully on an alpine hill or serve as a decorative border near the house or along paths.
The main habitats of sedum in nature are zones with a temperate climate, so growing it in our latitudes is not difficult.
Features of growing sedum
The plant, which grows in nature on almost any soil, including stony and even rocky, does not require careful care. His amazing ability taking root very quickly allows it to grow independently and expand the area of its habitat, forming living carpets in the garden.
Sedum tolerates drought easily, prefers well-lit places and requires periodic loosening of the soil and weeding. These plants cannot resist weeds, with the exception of sedum, which releases substances into the soil that expel any weeds around their habitat.
Sedum is a perennial plant, although there are also one- and two-year-old varieties. In three to four years, sedums usually grow out and need to be transplanted to another place for rejuvenation.
The most adapted to temperate climates and wintering are the sedum varieties (caustic, recurved, white, prominent). Varieties such as Spanish, Siebold sedum, Evers sedum require additional shelter, especially in cold winter or when there is little snow. These varieties will require “cosmetic” procedures in the spring in the form of pruning old shoots and fertilizing with fresh substrate.
Thanks to its phenomenal ability to take root with any piece of stem or even leaf, planting sedum is not difficult at all.
Planting methods
Landing can be done:
- seeds;
- h with little eggs
- separated by bushes.
Planting with seeds is carried out mainly for the purpose of selection.
In the garden, sedum is planted by cuttings. To do this, a plot of land is thoroughly cleared of weeds, the soil is well leveled and slightly compacted. Cuttings are laid out on its surface and sprinkled with earth and sand. From above, the earth is again compacted a little and watered (not abundantly).
Important! Cuttings of sedum sedum can be planted no earlier than two weeks after they are harvested, otherwise the plant will develop long stems.
Optimal time for planting
Planting can be done both in spring and autumn.
Soil for the plant
Sedum is unpretentious and grows on any soil. The best option– garden soil with good drainage. Some varieties prefer sandy, poor soils - these are creeping types of sedum. For those who form rather tall, abundantly flowering thickets, more nutritious loamy soil is needed.
Since sedum prefers arid soil, you should not plant it in low-lying areas of the garden, where moisture can accumulate and stagnate.
Among the features of caring for sedum, one can note the constant mandatory weeding of weeds, periodic pruning even during the flowering period, and maintaining a living “mat” within the area allocated to it.
Location and lighting for the plant
Most types of sedum are light-loving plants. Under the sun's rays, their leaves gain brightness in color. Some can tolerate light shade well. Light-loving varieties lose their decorative properties in the shade, their stems become stretched and bent, and they may not even bloom.
Air humidity
Sedum does not like high air humidity, so it is better to choose a place for it away from the source high humidity air. In a humid atmosphere, the plant can be affected by diseases and eaten by snails or slugs.
How to water correctly
There is almost no need to water sedum, only if the summer is very dry. Only planted cuttings need watering, and then only very carefully. In autumn, watering is reduced.
Feeding and fertilizing the flower
You can feed sedum with compost or humus, the main thing is not to overdo it with fertilizer. On 1 square meter When planting, it is enough to add no more than 10 kg of compost soil.
Sedum needs to be fertilized in spring and autumn, especially if it grows in combination with other plants. This neighborhood can take away nutrients from the sedum, so autumn feeding will help it survive the winter safely.
When planting, the soil for sedum can be fertilized with ash and sprinkled with sand.
For flowering species You can use mineral and organic fertilizers containing nitrogen, but in small quantities. It should be remembered that a high content of organic matter in the soil for sedum can impair its frost resistance.
Important! A large amount of fertilizing can negatively affect the flowering of sedum.
Pruning sedum. Trimming methods
Sedum pruning is usually done in the fall after flowering or in the spring, when the plant “wakes up” after winter and is not very presentable. appearance. It needs to be done regularly, adding fresh substrate. During autumn pruning, all old shoots are removed at the root.
In creeping species, you need to cut off shoots that grow above the “carpet” in order to maintain a neat decorative look plants. Also, during flowering, it is necessary to cut off faded flower stalks. Maintenance pruning should be done throughout the season.
Varieties with stems of different colors may produce green shoots. They also need to be pruned, otherwise the whole plant will turn green.
Transfer
The plant needs to be replanted once every three to six years, depending on the degree of its growth. The transplant must be done to a new place.
Transplant methods
Sedum can be replanted using cuttings or divided parts of the bush. Each separated fragment must contain part of the root and growing buds.
Transplantation in autumn
Transplantation is most often carried out in the spring, although sedum can be replanted in the fall after flowering.
Important! A new place for transplanting sedum is prepared in the same way as for normal planting with the addition of sand and fertilizers. wood ash.
Reproduction of sedum
Propagating sedum is not difficult.
Reproduction methods
- Growing sedum from seeds.
Seeds are planted in spring or autumn in boxes or trays, which are then placed in a greenhouse or greenhouse. Sedum sprouts are tiny; when 2-3 true leaves appear, they must be transplanted into the ground. Plants grown from seeds begin to bloom only after 2-3 years.
This method of propagation is practically not used by gardeners. Due to cross-pollination, when different varieties of sedum are adjacent, spontaneous hybrids are obtained, which may have absolutely no characteristics of the original plants. Therefore, it is very difficult to obtain the desired variety using seeds.
- Propagation by cuttings.
This method is most often used for propagating creeping or low-growing varieties of sedum due to its ability to produce aerial roots and take root at the slightest contact with the soil. These parts of the plant can be used as cuttings. But they must be planted in a specially prepared area, as described in the section “Planting sedum”
- Reproduction by dividing the bush.
To propagate by dividing the bush in early spring, it is dug up and divided with a sharp knife into parts containing a root and a growing bud. After dividing, the sections should be treated with a fungicide and allowed to dry in the open air, but not in the sun. Then they can be planted on a prepared plot of land.
Flowering plant
Flowers of not all types of sedum have decorative value. Low-growing sedum is good for its decorative foliage. But varieties that grow up to 50-80 cm and have the shape of a herbaceous bush bloom very beautifully. Sedum flowers have a fairly strong, thick aroma that attracts bees. This plant is an excellent honey plant.
When the plant blooms (flowering period), flower shape
The flowering period is different for different types of sedum. This time is mainly from July to August, although some can bloom at the very beginning of summer, such as false sedum. Its flowers come in a wide variety of colors from cream to purple.
Also in early summer, sedum blooms. Its yellow flowers bloom on tall peduncles.
Sedum blooms in autumn from September to November.
The general range of colors of sedum of various varieties is white, yellow and pink of various shades and color saturation.
Small flowers are collected in corymbose, umbellate and paniculate inflorescences.
If the sedum is planted in a place that is too wet or is watered too much, it may become affected by fungal diseases. A sign of damage will be spots on the leaves and stems of the plant. The diseased plant must be destroyed, it is best to burn it to avoid the spread of infection.
Pests dangerous to sedum:
- Aphids, they eat leaves;
- In July, you should be wary of sawfly caterpillars (they are lured onto cabbage or lettuce leaves and destroyed);
- Weevils, like aphids, damage leaves.
Insects are controlled using insecticides.
Important! It is best to use those insecticides that are used to treat currant bushes; they will not burn the leaves.
Popular types (varieties)
Of the huge number of sedum species in nature (more than 600), not many are used in garden compositions.
Sedum prominent
It is a bush up to 50 cm tall with leaves arranged on the stem in the form of a rosette. Blooms with bright pink or white flowers. It has many varieties, including those with variegated leaves.
Sedum matron
It grows in a large bush, brown leaves, light pink flowers in large umbellate inflorescences. Grows up to 50 cm tall. Flowering period from August to October.
Caustic sedum
In nature it grows everywhere in Europe and Russia. Very unpretentious and light-loving. It blooms with yellow small flowers shaped like a star. It will not grow more than 10 cm. In the garden version it may have yellowish foliage.
Sedum purple
It grows only up to 30 cm, has bright pink flowers and jagged leaves. The leaves of purple sedum are protected from excessive evaporation by a bluish-colored waxy coating. Flowering period – August – September.
Sedum Evers
A low-growing, creeping species with well-rooted stems, it has rounded leaves and small pink or purple flowers. In spring it wakes up late - in early May. Flowering period is July and August.
Sedum thickleaf
It is nicknamed "Drunkard's Nose" for the color of its thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves grow very densely and their tips are reddish in color.
Hybrid sedum
A creeping plant that forms loose turf up to 20 cm in height. Flowering period: early to mid-summer.
The only difficulty that these plants cause gardeners is the constant weeding of sedum thickets. A few tips will help you grow a beautiful ornamental plant.
- seedlings planted in the ground need to be thinned out, because sedum grows very quickly;
- if the leaves of the plant begin to turn yellow, it is necessary to replant it;
- for the winter it is better to cover the plant with fallen leaves, and in the spring it is necessary to remove it, because the plant may not hatch through its layer;
- When planting, pour water into the hole, this will help the plant take root faster.
Answers to readers' questions
- Plant lifespan
Sedum needs to be rejuvenated every 4-5 years by transplanting.
- Why doesn't the flower bloom?
Sedum will not bloom if it doesn't get enough light. All his strength goes into stretching the long stems towards the light.
- Why do the leaves turn yellow (dry)?
Perhaps the plant does not have enough mineral fertilizers or it is growing in an insufficiently bright place.
- Flower care in winter
At this time, sedum does not require care; it overwinters in the ground.
Sedum or sedum is a genus of succulent plants of the Tolstyankov family. In the wild, representatives of this genus grow in dry areas of America, Africa, Europe and Asia. There are a very large number of species of sedum and about a third of them are cultivated.
Most representatives of the genus are perennials, but there are also biennial plants. The shape of a bush can vary greatly depending on the species - it can be relatively tall bushes, clumps, or a carpet lining the ground.
Tropical species are common indoor crops, while others can be planted in the garden. In addition to its beautiful appearance, this plant is also attractive to gardeners due to its high resistance to heat.
Sedum varieties and types
A perennial whose shoot height varies from 20 cm to 60 cm. Its roots are shortened, its shoots are strong, its foliage is fleshy, and inflorescences with many small flowers are formed on the tops of the shoots.
A fairly well-known plant that can also be found in our country in the wild. It must be handled very carefully, as its juice is very caustic and can cause skin ulcers.
This is a low plant with small leaves that persist even in cold weather. By growing it, you can create a dark green carpet with small yellow flowers in your flowerbed.
This is a mountain plant that tolerates cold well. Its shoots spread and rise slightly, forming clumps. Inflorescences are corymbose, purple or scarlet in color.
Originally from the East. It forms bushes reaching 50 cm. The leaves are green with a bluish tint, the flowers form groups of purple or lilac tones.
This species has become the material for many varieties, including very popular Matron And Black Jack .
An unpretentious species, lining the soil with a grayish blanket that turns slightly pink when grown in the sun. The flowers are pink.
This species also grows in a dense carpet, and in nutritious soil can actively crowd out other plants. During flowering, it shoots out not very tall stems, on which a large number of white flowers appear.
By autumn, the foliage of this species begins to turn purple, and the leaves fade Murale even more pronounced purple.
Or rocky weakly branching shoots of this variety form small clumps with green foliage of a blue hue. The peduncles are tall, the flowers are yellow.
The shoots of this sedum, forming clumps, branch well. Its foliage is lanceolate and has serrated edges. Varietal varieties of the species may have different shades of foliage, and there is also variegated variety .
Among the shrub forms, this one stands out for its unpretentiousness and woody stems. Its leaves are oval and bluish. Well suited for growing in borders.
A species with recumbent shoots reaching 25 cm. It has beautiful green-ash-colored foliage and pale lilac flowers. Having a very attractive appearance, this plant is very capricious and quickly loses its decorative properties.
This perennial species has creeping stems, the length of which can reach even a meter. The foliage is small, fleshy, and abundantly adheres to the shoots. The flowers are collected in red inflorescences. Great for flowerpots.
A semi-shrub sedum with dense grayish foliage, the top of which gradually turns red. The inflorescences are yellow and may acquire a green tint.
A clump-like variety with bluish-colored leaves that can turn pink if they receive enough light. It propagates very easily by self-sowing, which is why it can pose a danger to other plants. The color of the flowers is white.
Similar to Evers, but does not have such a large bush. Its height is up to 20 cm, but there are also completely dwarf varieties, for example, Sachine , whose bushes reach only 10 cm. Quite capricious.
Sedum planting and care in open ground
Plant sedum seedlings in open ground should be at the end of spring, when you can be sure that night frosts will not occur.
Most varieties of this plant are not picky and are perfect for the scorching sun. You can also plant bushes in light shade, but good lighting is still preferable.
It is better to select a site for planting that is far from trees and bushes so that it is not covered with falling leaves.
The composition and nutritional value of the soil are not particularly important when growing this crop, but to make the bushes more lush, you can add a little organic fertilizer to the substrate before planting.
Planting holes are placed approximately 20 cm between individuals. After planting, do not forget to water the seedlings. Young sedums will begin to bloom in the second or third year. When caring for this crop, it must be constantly weeded to protect it from weeds. Watering is required only in very hot weather.
Aichrizon is also a member of the Crassulaceae family; recommendations for care at home can be found here.
Pruning sedums
When the stems begin to grow, they should be trimmed to maintain a more beautiful appearance. You also need to cut off dry foliage and inflorescences.
If a variety with colored shoots develops green stems, cut them off too.
Sedum feeding
Sedum will benefit from fertilizer. It is carried out in spring and autumn, using organic matter in the form of mullein in a ratio of 1 to 10, or complex mineral fertilizer in the dose indicated on the package.
You cannot fertilize sedum with fresh manure.
Replanting sedum
Over time, the bushes or clumps of this crop age and degenerate, so they need to be rejuvenated by replanting. You can also cut off the old stems, pour new soil under the rhizome and fertilize, but replanting is still preferable.
Typically, this procedure is also accompanied by propagation by dividing the bush, so more details will be discussed above.
Sedum in winter
When preparing sedum for winter, you need to cut off most of the shoots, saving only 4 of them, which are then covered with earth.
Cut shoots take root well in pots and can be planted outside in the future.
In general, you don’t have to trim the stems for the winter, since they look quite attractive under the snow, but with the onset of spring, you will have to trim them in any case, since the old stems will not be very attractive after wintering.
Sedum from seeds at home
Using seeds, sedum is sown as seedlings. This is usually done in mid-spring. The material is placed on a mixture of ordinary soil and sand and sprinkled with coarse sand on top. Next, the seeds are watered, covered with film and placed in a place with a temperature close to 0 degrees.
Do not forget to ventilate the seed every day and water it from time to time with a spray bottle so that the soil is slightly damp. After 14 days, the pots are moved to a room with a temperature of about 19°C. And the seedlings will begin to sprout in 15-30 days.
You can also sow the seeds in late autumn, digging them into pots in the garden. With the arrival of April, the material is also brought into the room. Once the seedlings form a pair of true leaves, they can be planted in separate containers. When caring for seedlings, they need to be watered and the soil in the containers lightly loosened.
7 days before transplanting into the garden, you need to start taking out the sedum Fresh air for hardening, gradually increasing the time spent outside.
Please note that the generative method of reproduction is only suitable for species. If you have a varietal plant, then the distinctive features will be lost during seed propagation.
Propagation of sedum by cuttings
In such cases, resort to vegetative methods. Cuttings are carried out before or after flowering. This is a very simple method - you just need to cut off part of the stem and stick it into light soil, so as to deepen a node or pair into the substrate.
You can also form roots by dipping the cuttings in water.
Sedum propagation by dividing the bush
As already mentioned, with aging the sedum requires transplants, which are carried out approximately every five years.
With the arrival of spring, the bushes are dug up and their roots are divided so that the parts necessarily have buds. The cut areas are coated with fungicide and left to dry for a couple of hours. After this, the divisions can be planted in a new place.
Diseases and pests
This plant is very rarely damaged by disease. Basically, it can suffer from rot, which appears when there is excess moisture.
If you notice lethargy of shoots , dark spots on leaves , then check the stems and roots for the presence of a fungus that causes rot.
If infection occurs, then you need to cut off the diseased parts of the bushes and treat them with a fungicide. If the infection is extensive, the plant should be destroyed and the entire area should be treated with fungicides several times.
Among pests, sedum is most often attacked aphid , thrips And weevils .
They get rid of weevils by throwing them at night onto a cloth spread under the plant.
Other pests are controlled with insecticides such as Actellica.
sedum perennial with rooting stems.
IN middle lane In Russia it is grown without shelter for the winter.
There is no more carefree flower than the sedum. Its survival is sometimes surprising; it is not whimsical and drought-resistant.
There are 300 varieties of sedum in nature.
Another common name is sedum; sometimes it is called ornamental cabbage or hare cabbage.
Sedum: planting and care
Sedum propagation
Sedum reproduces on its own. The fallen tops and sprouts of flower stalks take root on their own. Don't worry, it won't clog your entire area.
If necessary, the sedum can be easily removed or transplanted to another place. The flower tolerates transplants easily.
Sedum is a unique plant; it is good to use for landscaping in various places, even the worst ones.
He is comfortable where another plant simply cannot survive.
The unpretentious flower is resistant to fungi and viruses. It is enough to simply remove the damaged parts and that’s it.
Loves the sun very much! But it grows well in the shade. In sunny areas its color is richer, and in dark areas it is weaker - that makes all the difference.
I propagate Sedum in the fall when it gets cool. To do this, I cut the cutting and cover it with soil at an angle.
This procedure can be carried out in spring and even in summer, but then the cuttings must be planted in dark places.
Sedum care
To preserve the decorative appearance of the sedum, it is necessary to renew the planting or replanting of plants every 4 - 5 years, or to grow new planting material from cuttings.
Weeding is vital so that weeds do not compete with them, since most Sedums are not fighters.
They may lose in this fight. Cut sedum feels great in a vase with water, and even after a while it produces roots.
Medicinal properties of sedum
The oblong leaves of sedum have an anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect.
Sedum juice helps with burns, cuts, frostbite and joint pain.
In terms of biological activity, sedum juice is even better than aloe juice. This plant is used in folk medicine.
Varieties and types of sedum: photo
"Autum Fire" is a neat bush up to 50 cm in height, the flowers are copper-red.
Sedum spectabile. The flowers are great for attracting many bees and butterflies to the garden. This species is best suited for cutting.
"Iceberg" - delicate white flowers. Abundant flowering begins in August and continues until the cold weather.
"Matrona" - bush 30 - 50 cm, cylindrical in shape, pink - lilac flowers.
“Winky” - height 20 cm, blooms July - August with pink flowers, is a dwarf variety.
Sedum is an unpretentious and long-living plant. However, planting and caring for sedum in open ground may vary in level of complexity depending on what variety we are talking about and whether the plant is accustomed to a temperate climate.
Growing in open ground
Planting and caring for sedum in open ground is not too complicated, but nevertheless it has some features and nuances, understanding of which will allow the gardener to minimize the resources and time spent on the plant.
Not every sedum is planted in open ground. It is necessary to choose a variety based on the climate of the region, having first studied the plant’s requirements for temperature, humidity and soil type.
Sedum flowers are one of the main reasons to plant this plant in open ground. This is how they grow brighter and bigger. In addition, the flowering period itself is much longer.
Use in landscape design
Sedums in landscape design very popular due to their diversity. The different thickness of the stem, height, shape of leaves, size and colors of flowers allows you to create beautiful compositions with the help of sedums.
In a flowerbed, different varieties of sedum need to be arranged not only according to their external characteristics, but also based on their moisture-loving properties and preference for fertilizing. You also need to pay attention to the flowering period. When all the sedums produce flowers at the same time, the compositions look especially impressive in garden design.
Sedums combine well not only with each other, but also with many other flowering plants. With the correct arrangement, sedums can not only complement the composition, but also maintain a healthy microclimate in the flowerbed.
Necessary conditions for cultivation
Growing sedums, despite the specific nuances, is carried out according to average rules. They all like abundant, but not too frequent watering, sunlight, not too demanding on the soil.
Favorable climatic conditions
Sedum grows best in warm climates. Even those species that are accustomed to temperature changes and survive frosty winters well grow faster and bloom more abundantly during hot and humid periods.
Most of Sedums (almost 90 percent) love a humid climate. Only a few of them grow better in dry conditions. This nuance should be clarified when planting a specific variety.
Choosing a place for a flower bed
An average flowerbed for sedum should be in a well-lit place, but not in the sun. It is best to choose a place, part of which is shaded, and part of which is in the sun.
Gardeners should be especially careful when choosing neighbors for sedums, because their roots spread widely, often at a distance of up to half a meter, and they choke root system most others garden plants.
Soil requirements
It is not necessary to select fertile, loose soil for sedums. The soil can be sandy, clay and rocky. The root system of the sedum grows deep enough for the plant to extract the necessary minerals and trace elements in the lower layers of the earth.
Planting dates and technology
Planting of sedums is carried out in early spring, before the active growth phase has begun, or in the fall after the flowering period. The choice of planting time depends on the age and health of the seedling. In the spring it is better to plant young plants that will quickly grow, and in the fall - older ones (5 years and older), which will survive the winter more easily.
Sedum can be planted without additional loosening and fertilizing of the soil, if its root system is already sufficiently formed.
It is best to choose a less sunny period so that the plant first strengthens itself in its new place of residence, and only then begins to spend resources on the development of the stem and leaves.
In the first two weeks after transplantation, the seedling should be watered at least once every 2-3 days.
Transfer
Sedums need to be replanted infrequently. A young plant changes its place of residence no more than once every 2 years, and an old plant no more than once every 3-4 years. Transplantation and rejuvenation are necessary only to ensure that the root system does not outgrow and begin to harm the upper shoots.
First of all, you need to dig up the sedum. Its root is deep and spreading, so you should not try to pull it out of the ground completely. In addition, this type of succulent does not reproduce by rhizome, so you should not be afraid of the appearance of new shoots in this place.
Afterwards the plant is placed in a new place on the site. There is no need to fertilize it. Abundant watering is recommended.
Subtleties of care
Caring for cleaning is not difficult even for inexperienced gardeners. Succulents themselves are quite unpretentious, but this subspecies, accustomed to growing in open ground in not the most attractive conditions, amazes with its resistance to stress and vitality.
Watering mode
It is difficult to establish a universal watering period for all varieties of sedum. More moisture-loving subspecies require regular irrigation (at least once every 3 days). Those sedums that were brought to temperate latitudes from the Far East need to be watered much less frequently (once every 5-7 days).
In any case, succulents can survive up to 2-3 weeks without moisture. This will practically not harm your health, but it is better not to risk the plant again.
Feeding
Fertilizing sedums is mandatory after illness (except winter) and during the periods when it blooms. All other additional feedings are purely situational. Sometimes gardeners add nutrients to the soil before storm warnings and cold snaps. Some sources recommend that the transplant be accompanied by abundant irrigation and fertilizing.
Diseases and pests
Sedum rarely gets sick due to its resistance to stress, but often becomes a victim of various kinds of pests. Heat-loving varieties are most often at risk.
- The main enemy of sedum is thrips and aphids. They eat not its leaves (which the plant calmly sheds), but the roots. Since without a strong and long rhizome, the sedum cannot receive the necessary minerals and trace elements, it quickly dies.
- Weevils attack leaves. They eat them faster than the plant can shed them. One or two beetles will not be able to seriously harm the plant, but a small brood can seriously ruin its health.
- Nematodes are called the scourge of cleanup. They quickly and mercilessly deal with the rhizome at the very base, and are extremely difficult to remove. The plant quickly begins to wither and fade.
Thrips 
Aphid 
The only way to control these pests is with insecticides. If sedum was previously used for medicinal purposes, its leaves and flowers cannot be collected after treatment for at least a month.
Reproduction
Propagating sedum at home is not difficult. New succulents quickly form their own rhizome and after 1-2 weeks can be planted in open ground.
Different types of succulents have different types propagation: cuttings, dividing the bush. Dividing the rhizome will not help in this case, since it is not a vegetative organ in the sedum.
Propagation by cuttings is the simplest and most popular method. It can be carried out as harmlessly as possible for the succulent, simply by waiting until it separates the “babies”, or you can cut them off yourself with garden shears. Afterwards, the future seedling is placed in a vessel with water to accelerate the formation of the root system. Some can be left in water for several days unattended, and some need regular fluid changes.
Afterwards, the new plant needs to be transplanted to another place. In no case should it be planted close to the mother sedum before the new sedum reaches 2 years of age, since the old rhizome will completely stifle the growth of the seedling.
Features of growing at home
Indoor sedum and outdoor sedum are two different plants, even if they belong to the same variety. Due to the inability of the sedum to develop its root system deeper, it is more difficult to plant and care for such a plant. Indoor sedums need regular fertilization.
Location and lighting
In addition to problems with nutrients, indoor sedums often lack light. When choosing the most illuminated place, the main thing is not to expose the plant to direct sunlight, otherwise it can quickly dry out and fade.
Temperature and humidity in the room
Sedum is a heat-loving and moisture-loving plant, so for comfortable growth it must be kept in a room in which the average temperature in summer does not fall below 20-23 degrees, and in winter - below 16-18.
Even those types of sedums that are frost-resistant in open ground, in room conditions quickly lose their natural characteristics and become quite vulnerable.
To maintain a sufficient level of humidity, sedums need to be regularly sprayed with a spray bottle. Depending on the variety, this procedure should be carried out from once a day to once every 2-3 days.
Substrate and pot requirements
The soil for sedums is selected organic, but not clean. Sand is added to each substrate for sedum, and in some types clay and small stones are also added.
The drainage must be placed on the bottom of the pot in a thick (2-3 centimeters minimum) layer. It is best to use small stones or brick chips.
There are no special requirements for a vessel for sedums, the main thing is that it retains heat well. It is best to choose pots made from natural materials.
Reproduction
Indoor sedum reproduces in the same ways as “street” sedum. The only difference is that the “baby” plants from the pot first need to be dried a little, and only then placed in water. Most often, they are oversaturated with moisture, so if you immediately place the cutting in liquid, it may begin to rot. Indoor sedum also reproduces by dividing the bush, but this procedure is carried out only during transplantation, and therefore is less popular.
Caring for sedum at home requires more regular watering, fertilization and proper selection of substrate, but in comparison with hundreds of others indoor plants it still remains the most unpretentious and simple.
Sedum is a plant that amazes with its diversity and ease of care. By choosing the right variety of sedum, a novice gardener can provide himself with a favorite for many years that reproduces easily and delights with bright flowering every year.
Most sedums are ground cover plants. They are used to decorate the lower tier of gardens and courtyards. This variety is most popular among owners of suburban areas and landscape designers. However, there is another form of this decorative culture, no less impressive and also, of course, worthy of the attention of those who want to see their yard or garden neat and beautiful. We are talking about the shrubby form of sedum. There are many varieties of it. Most often, sedums are used to decorate areas, which will be discussed in this article.
What varieties are there?
Sedum prominent is considered the most beautiful of the bush forms. It grows wild in northeast China. Prominent ones usually include also very similar sedums: hare, large, Caucasian, red-spotted and purple. Currently, many decorative forms and varieties of this plant have been developed. The most popular include such prominent sedums as Brilliant, Matrona, Xenox, Diamond Border and Frosty Morning.
Variety Brilliant
This oldest variety sedum prominent. It was bred in 1913. To its main distinctive features include thick roots and a straight stem reaching a height of 50 cm. The leaves of this variety have a bluish tint, and the flowers are bright pink. Each bush consists of 15-20 round shoots. The prominent sedum variety Brilliant blooms from August to November.
Sedum Matrona
The bushes of this variety reach a height of 50-60 cm. Its flowers are whitish-pink, collected in corymbs with a diameter of 10-15 cm. The leaves of the prominent Matrona sedum have a light brown-purple tint. Like Diamond, this variety blooms until frost. Matrona sedum has been grown in our country since the 90s of the last century.
Variety Xenox
The bushes of this very beautiful variety of sedum can also reach a height of 50 cm. The flowers of the Xenox variety are red-purple, the leaves are dark purple, fleshy. This variety begins to bloom in July. Its main feature is its light-loving nature. This sedum should be planted only in the sunniest places.
Diamond border
The prominent sedum of this variety can reach a height of 40 cm. The flowers of the Diamond Border are pink. The variety got its name for its beautiful large fleshy leaves with a creamy-yellow edge and a bluish-green center. The Diamond Border sedum blooms from August to November.
Frosty morning
It is also a not too tall sedum with broad leaves that have a pure white edge and a pastel green center. The flowers of the variety are collected in small capitate inflorescences and have a greenish-white tint.
How to choose a place
Planting sedum, planting and care (photos of flower beds with this spectacular plant are presented on the page), for which the operations are technologically very simple, should only be done in well-lit areas. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the leaves of the ornamental crop acquire a more saturated bright color. If you plant sedum bushes in the shade, its shoots will become very elongated and will not bloom, that is, they will completely lose their decorative effect.
The soil of sedum, unlike ground cover varieties, requires quite fertile soil. It is best if it is loam. This plant does not like acidic soils. Therefore, before planting, you need to add a little wood ash to the soil. To make the soil looser, you can add sand to it. Since this plant does not like stagnant water, good drainage should be provided at the planting site.
Use in landscape design
This plant looks beautiful both in group plantings on the lawn and in mixborders and various kinds of flower arrangements. This spectacular crop is often planted together with ornamental cereals. Such flower beds actually look very harmonious.
Watering rules
Without exception, all sedums are drought-resistant. Ground cover varieties are usually not watered at all. However, the prominent sedum (its photo can be seen on the page) needs soil moisture a little more than other forms. It needs to be watered periodically. This is done as the soil dries out. When watering the lawn, you should pour a lot of water. But of course, it should not be allowed to stagnate in planting. Sedums are succulents and are capable of storing moisture in their fleshy leaves.
How to fertilize
All bush sedums, including the prominent one, respond very well to feeding. This plant is fertilized about a couple of times per season. It is best to do this in early spring and immediately after flowering. A simply wonderful type of feeding for this plant is complex mineral fertilizer. You can also use rotted manure or compost.
Fertilizers should be applied little by little. Under no circumstances should you overfeed sedums of any variety. The fact is that this can have a very bad effect on their winter hardiness.
What else needs to be done
Of course, watering and fertilizing are not the only things that sedum requires for normal growth. Varieties with unusual leaf colors also need to be pruned from time to time. The fact is that they sometimes form wild green shoots. They must be removed without fail. Otherwise, after a while the plants may turn completely green. Also, bush varieties need to be weeded from time to time.
The main disadvantage of sedums of any shape is that after a while they completely lose their decorative effect. This happens approximately in the third to sixth year after planting. Therefore, the lawn or flower bed with these plants must be renewed periodically. Before planting new plants, the soil should be replaced with new soil. If this is not possible, the soil should at least be thoroughly loosened. We’ll talk more about exactly how sedums reproduce below.
How to prepare for winter
The sedum is prominent, the care of which, as you can see, is simple - the plant is frost-resistant. However, it should still be prepared for winter. In late autumn, the bush should be cut down to the ground, and the rosette should be mulched. For example, humus is perfect as a shelter for sedum.
Since this plant looks beautiful even under the snow, in areas with not too frosty winters it is allowed not to be cut or covered. In such regions, sedum does not freeze. However, in this case, pruning will still have to be done in the spring.
Sedum prominent: propagation by cuttings
This plant looks best in group flower beds. It is not difficult to obtain enough planting material for a chic composition that occupies a large area. Sedum can be propagated throughout the entire growing season. This is done as follows:
- You need to cut off the required number of green branches from the plants. In order not to spoil the appearance of the flower bed, you need to take them one or two at a time in inconspicuous places. The branches should be cut using pruning shears or regular sharp scissors.
- The planting material obtained in this way must be placed in water. After some time, tender roots will grow on the branches.
- As soon as this happens, the petioles can be planted in the ground.
Similarly, sedums are usually propagated until mid-August. If this procedure is carried out later, young plants may simply not have time to take root well before the onset of cold weather.
It often happens that in the summer for reproduction ornamental plants Summer residents simply don’t have enough time. In this case, you can try diluting the sedum a little differently. To do this, in late autumn, just before frost, several green cuttings are also cut from the mother plant. Then they fall into the water. The resulting “bouquet” should be placed in the sunniest place in the apartment. It is best if this is the window sill of a south-facing window.
Once the flowers in the “bouquet” fade, they just need to be cut off. Store the twigs that have taken root until spring, periodically changing the water in the container with fresh water. This will allow you to obtain very good planting material for a plant such as sedum. The cuttings obtained in this way are planted in open ground at the end of spring, after the weather has become warm outside. Sedums grown from seeds bloom in the 2-3rd year.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
This technique is usually used in early spring. By dividing the bush, you can propagate plants that have reached the age of 4-5 years. This procedure is carried out as follows:
- The bush is dug up and divided into 3-4 parts.
- The resulting wounds are sprinkled with crushed charcoal.
- Dry the areas in a cool place for several hours.
- Transfer plants to the ground.
By autumn, sedums planted in this way will develop a powerful root system, and therefore will easily withstand winter cold.
Propagation by seeds
This method is used extremely rarely by garden plant lovers. Propagating sedum by seeds is much more difficult than by cuttings or dividing the bush. More often, this technique is used by breeders when developing new varieties. This is done as follows:
- In March-April, sedum seeds are scattered over the soil in a box, carefully moistened with a spray bottle and covered with glass.
- Place the box in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf and keep it like that for two weeks.
- After this period, the box is transferred to the room.
- After 1-2 leaves appear, the plants dive.
- At the end of May, seedlings are planted in open ground at a distance of 10-20 cm.
This is how a plant such as sedum is grown. This culture, as you can see, is very unpretentious and at the same time unusually spectacular. When planted in a flowerbed or lawn, it will become a real decoration of the site and at the same time will not take too much time from the owners of the house to take care of themselves.