Planting
Where to Plant Sedum
Sedum enjoy full sun but will tolerate some shade. If growing sedum in an area that gets long, cold winters (Zone 5 and colder), plant in full sun to improve overwintering capability.
Sedum grows well in poor or sandy soil, but it’s important to have well-draining soil to avoid fungal diseases. It is very susceptible to root rot if grown in soil that holds too much moisture. Overly rich soil can also encourage leggy growth, which can result in upright sedum varieties becoming top-heavy when they bloom.
When to Plant Sedum
- Sedum is usually bought in plugs or pots and transplanted into the garden. The best time to plant sedum is in the spring—after the threat of frost but before the heat of summer kicks in.
- Plant sedum seeds in early spring in well-draining, average to rich soil. (Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.)
How to Plant Sedum
- Space plants between 6 inches and 2 feet apart, depending on the variety. Low-growing sedums will readily spread to fill any gaps, while upright sedums tend to stay more compact.
- Planting full plants or divisions: Dig a hole deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface of the soil, then place the plant in the hole and fill in around it. Be careful not to bury the stems of upright sedum, as this can lead to rot.
- Planting cuttings: Like other succulents, sedum can be readily propagated via cuttings. Simply place the cut end into soil, and the cutting should have no trouble rooting under proper lighting and watering conditions.
Growing
- Once established, sedum plants require little care. During the summer, check your plants regularly to make sure they are not too dry and water (sparingly) if needed. As long as your area gets rain every couple of weeks at the least, sedum shouldn’t need any extra watering.
- After flowering, cut back the plants to maintain their shape or contain them in one area.
- Tip: For added winter interest, leave the flowers of upright sedum alone after they bloom. They will form attractive seed heads.
- Remember to divide your plants in the spring or fall to control their spread. Throughout the summer, divisions and cuttings root readily.
Types
- Sedum humifusum makes for a great ground cover and has beautiful, bright yellow flowers
- ‘Brilliant’, ‘Autumn Fire’, and ‘Autumn Joy’ upright sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, aka Sedum spectabile) add bursts of bright pink and magenta to your garden
- ‘Blue Spruce’ (Sedum reflexum) is a low-growing sedum with blue-green, spruce-like foliage and yellow flowers
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Comments
Dan, Some types of flies are beneficial and deter pests; other types of flies are problems. If you have aphids, simply spray with water or use an insecticidal soap. If you have fungus gnats, your plant may be getting too much water and you need to let it dry out between waterings. It's hard to diagnose without knowing more information (color, size, etc.).
Sedum is a great fit for Florida. See this helpful fact page from your FL cooperative extension: http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/plants_and_grasses/other_plants/sedums.html
Interesting question, Pat! This somewhat depends on the type and from your standpoint the quantity/expanse. You could cut them back now, true. You could let them get trampled and then cut back only the damaged ones. It's usually best not to transplant in summer, as the plants' energy is focused on blooming and sometimes this makes it harder for them to adapt to a new home. Of course, the degree of "trampling" matters, too ... If ours were going to be totally ground into the ground/destroyed, we would definitely move. Sounds like yours are going to get "decked" one way or the other, but fortunately sedum are pretty robust.
For small patches of clover it's best to hand weed or use a knife to remove them. Push the knife at least 1 inch below the soil, then slice through the roots of the clover plants.
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Shade tolerance depends on the sedum variety. Most sedum plants prefer full sun, though some tolerate partial shade and there are even a couple varieties that grow fine in shade. You can take a sample to a local nursery or cooperative extension to identify it. Chances are, your sedum prefers sun so you'd want to transplant in autumn or early spring.