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Succulent Sedum sp. are rising in popularity as gardeners discover their versatility and gorgeous good looks. These are little plants that maintain their beauty through our Colorado extremities of heat, cold and drought. They embrace the searing afternoon sun, yet thrive in light shade. From gravelly clay to garden loam, their luscious growth fills gardens with year-round texture, color, and form. Almost any site or design issue can be resolved with a sedum or two. (Or three!)
The 2-3" spreading growth of smaller species create vignettes of timelessness in the garden. These low growers creep colorfully between flagstones, swiftly filling in cracks and softening edges. Their many forms imitating unusual shapes such as rosettes of saucers or sausages-on-a-string stimulate creativity and satisfy design urges.
Medium sized sedum sprawl over rock walls in thick cascades, naturalizing in the soil packed crevices. Used as ground covers, they create a multi-hued tapestry perfect for hiding the fading foliage of the smaller spring and autumn bulbs.
The foliage of sedum speaks for itself. Even before they bloom, delicious frosty blues, dazzling yellows, dusky wines, burgundies and purples sizzle, blaze and smolder against the greens and silvers of the Colorado landscape.
The taller selections can be used as a foliage backdrop for spring and summer flowers. Their color and texture tie elements together as well as shine on their own. But stand back as late summer blooms steal the show. Bold blossoms in rose, pink, red or yellow hum with pollen-drinking bees bumbling about. Autumn dried umbels remain for the winter show, collecting hoarfrost and applause.
The following sedum are available for purchase at local nurseries:
Sedum acre: 2-3"; deep green delicate thing that spreads to create a living mulch; it has tiny yellow blooms in late summer
S. globosum: a 4" warped, puffy leaved creature forming a funky focal point that will elicit many a "WOW. What's THAT?"
S. kamtschaticum 'Variegatum': 5-8", perfect for hot, dry, baking southern exposures; tolerates radiant heat; it's light green with creamy margins that will turn pinkish as summer goes on; yellow blooms in spring
S. spectablis 'Autumn Joy': 18-24" of blue green gorgeousness from early spring on; rose colored umbels in late summer
S. spurium: 4-5" of spreading foliage in bronze, deep red, or red/white/green variegation, depending on the variety; excellent scrambler; fun to intermingle with other ground covers
S. spathufolium 'Cape Blanco': gray blue that gets violet hues in the winter; tiny 2" spreading rosettes with yellow flowers in summer
S. 'Rosy Glow': 10" of blue green foliage that sprawls under pink flowers from late summer to early fall; tinges of autumn color extend the show
S. 'Vera Jameson': 15-18" ; smokey blue gray foliage kissed in purple; red summer flowers glow against the foliage
As one can see, the selection is endlessly enticing and theses are the common ones. For the infatuated and daring, more are to be had. You may have to turn to catalogs and start seeds, but the beauty is worth it!
Q: I have a spot of dry shade by my front entrance where nothing seems to grow. What is a low grower that will bring some interest here?
A: Spotted dead nettle, Lamium maculatum is a variegated spreading ground cover with white or pink flowers in the summer. Creeping Oregon grape holly, Mahonia repens, is a native broadleaf evergreen from our foothills. Holly-like foliage in deep greens and orang red colors, it has yellow spring blooms and frosted blue berries in the fall. Encourage them to creep amongst boulders for added interest. For more information on perennials that do well in this area, check out Fact Sheet 7.405 - Herbaceous Perennials. Another excellent resource for further ideas is the Xeriscape Plant Guide: 100 Water- Wise Plants for Gardens and Landscapes, published by Denver Water and the American Water Works Association.
Q: I'm not sure what a lot of plants look like, and it's hard to make decisions based on catalog descriptions. What is a reliable tool in selecting plants for the new gardener?
A: Fort Collins is very fortunate to have Colorado State University's W.D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center (P.E.R.C.) located on Lake Street between College and Shields. In addition to flowering annual plant trials, P.E.R.C. also has thousands of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennials on display. Visits throughout the year will show you what grows and flowers locally.
Use a rain gauge to check how much precipitation has fallen. This will help in calculating the amount of additional watering is needed.
The petals of many edible flowers may be added to salads for variety and interest. These include daylilies, marigolds, nastursiums, lilac and most of the herbs. Pick early in the day and avoid the older or wilted ones or any sprayed with pesticides.
Keep mulch pulled away from tree trunks. Excess moisture around trunks can lead to disease. Also, water well away from the trunk because the roots needing water are typically extending out two to three times the height of the tree.
Selection and application of fertilizers on roses are an important part
of rose cultures. A soil test to aid in setting up a fertilizing
program is very helpful and often saves money. When necessary, time-release
fertilizers, although probably slightly more expensive, can be a time saver
since only one application per year is necessary.
The author has received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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