Scientific Name
Hylotelephium maximum (L.) J.Holub
Common Name(s)
Grand Stonecrop
Synonym(s)
Anacampseros assurgens, Anacampseros calcareus, Anacampseros cebennensis, Anacampseros chlorotica, Anacampseros collina, Anacampseros corsica, Anacampseros delphinensis, Anacampseros erubescens, Anacampseros maxima, Anacampseros millieri, Anacampseros minor, Anacampseros pachyphylla, Anacampseros praeruptorum, Anacampseros recurva, Anacampseros serotina, Anacampseros subrotunda, Anacampseros ternata, Anacampseros verlotii, Hylotelephium maximum subsp. scherfelii, Hylotelephium scherfelii, Hylotelephium telephium subsp. maximum, Sedum glaucopruinosum, Sedum haematodes, Sedum latifolium, Sedum maximum, Sedum maximum f. rufescens, Sedum maximum f. umbrosum, Sedum maximum subsp. glaucopruinosum, Sedum maximum var. atropurpureum, Sedum maximum var. atropurpureum, Sedum maximum var. glaucopruinosum, Sedum maximum var. scherfelii, Sedum pseudotelephium, Sedum telephium subsp. maximum, Sedum telephium subsp. suecicum, Sedum telephium var. alpestre, Sedum telephium var. assurgens, Sedum telephium var. cebennense, Sedum telephium var. chloroticum, Sedum telephium var. collinum, Sedum telephium var. erubescens, Sedum telephium var. glaucopruinosum, Sedum telephium var. maximum, Sedum telephium var. millieri, Sedum telephium var. minus, Sedum telephium var. pachyphyllum, Sedum telephium var. praeruptorum, Sedum telephium var. pseudotelephium, Sedum telephium var. rotundatum, Sedum telephium var. serotinum, Sedum telephium var. subrotundum, Sedum telephium var. verlotii, Telephium maximum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Telephieae
Genus: Hylotelephium
Origin
This species is native to Europe and western Asia.
Description
Hylotelephium maximum, also known as Hylotelephium telephium subsp. maximum, is a succulent plant that produces clusters of erect or ascending stems with drab green to brown-maroon leaves. The stems grow up to 32 inches (80 cm) tall from a tuberous rootstock. Leaves are egg-shaped, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, and have blunt teeth on their margins. Flowers are creamy white, sometimes with a greenish, yellowish, pinkish, or purple tinge. They appear in clusters from late summer to fall.
This succulent was formerly known as Sedum maximum or Sedum telephium var. maximum.
Etymology
The specific epithet "maximum" derives from a Latin word meaning "the greatest amount, quantity, or degree" and refers to the species' size and its more robust appearance than the other species.
How to Grow and Care for Hylotelephium maximum
Light: This succulent prefers full sun. It tolerates light to partial shade in hot summer climates but will produce weak, floppy growth when grown in too much shade. Plant your H. maximum in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Soil: H. maximum does not need rich soil, but it does need excellent drainage. Choose a commercial potting mix for succulents, or make one yourself.
Hardiness: This plant is tolerant of heat and drought and is cold-hardy, making it a popular outdoor succulent. H. maximum can withstand temperatures as low as -30 to 30 °F (-34.4 to -1.1 °C), USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b.
Watering: The best way to water H. maximum is to use the "soak and dry" method. Get the soil completely wet, and then wait until it is dry before watering again.
Fertilizing: Feed annually with a balanced fertilizer. According to the package directions, apply the fertilizer to the soil in spring as new growth appears.
Repotting: Plants in containers require little more care than those in gardens. Repot your H. maximum when it outgrows its current pot by moving it out to a larger pot to hold the plant better. Spring is the best time to repot this plant. Make sure the soil is dry before you begin the repotting process.
Propagation: This succulent can be grown from seeds, division, or stem cuttings. Sow seeds in spring. Dividing your H. maximum is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season, though it is probably best done in spring or early summer. Propagate by stem cuttings in summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Hylotelephium.
Toxicity of Hylotelephium maximum
H. maximum can be mildly toxic to humans and animals.
Links
- Back to genus Hylotelephium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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