I think every gardener should plant Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. It is such a delightful plant and very hardy for those of us in cold climates. And pollinators of all sorts love it and need it.

Here in Manitoba we’ve already had a few cold nights (down to +4^o Celsius, or 39^o F.) Some areas have had a touch of frost. Annuals are looking worn out, most perennials are finished and leaves are starting to change colour. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is just now looking fantastic and is going strong. And everywhere I see it it is covered with pollinators of all sorts. Bees of all types are looking for that last addition to their stores, late emerging monarch butterflies need a good boost before heading south, even moths are flocking to the upright sedums. And when gardens are looking tired, the upright sedums are giving good colour and form.

There are many hardy sedums that deserve attention. There are many that are not that hardy and make excellent houseplants. There are ground cover sedums, low mounding sedums and, of course, the upright sedums. All are fleshy plants, offer interesting texture; they like very good drainage and full sun. Once established they will tolerate drought for extended periods, will thrive in sun-baked conditions where other plants struggle.

Stonecrop is one of the common names for sedum, as is orpine and Ice Plant. Careful when shopping as there is another plant whose common name is Ice Plant. Also beware that botanists consider some sedums to be a different genus: Hylotelephium. Such is the case with ‘Autumn Joy’. The tag at the garden centre may say Hylotelephium or Sedum.

The upright sedums will grow 30 – 60 cm (12 – 24″) tall, depending on variety, with spreads similar to the height. They bloom in shades from bright pink to rose to peach. The stems are fleshy, leaves fleshy in shades from blue-green to burgundy. A word of caution: some of the darker varieties seem a wee bit harder to overwinter, experienced gardeners I know have struggled with them. Don’t cut them back and cover well with snow. Trim at least in half come Spring.

It’s exciting that some of the leading growers are paying attention to sedums. The new introductions like ‘Rock ‘n Grow^TM Back in Black’ and ‘Banana Split’ look beautiful, but we need a few seasons of having them planted to prove their hardiness. The other major bonus for planting sedums? Deer don’t seem to like them at all!