Scientific Name
Hylotelephium 'Purple Emperor'
Synonym(s)
Hylotelephium telephium 'Purple Emperor', Hylotelephium 'Washfield Purple', Hylotelephium 'Washfield Ruby', Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor', Sedum telephium 'Washfield Purple', Sedum telephium 'Washfield Ruby', Sedum 'Purple Emperor', Sedum 'Washfield Purple', Sedum 'Washfield Ruby'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Telephieae
Genus: Hylotelephium
Description
Hylotelephium 'Purple Emperor', formerly known as Sedum 'Purple Emperor', is a dramatic succulent with erect, ascending stems and fleshy, deep bronze-purple leaves. It typically forms upright to slightly spreading clumps that can reach up to 15 inches (37.5 cm) in height.
From mid-summer to early fall, the stems are topped with large flattened heads of tiny, star-shaped, dusky pinkish-purple flowers. The flower heads are up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.
Origin
Hylotelephium 'Purple Emperor' is a cultivar or hybrid of Hylotelephium telephium raised by Graham GoughIt and introduced by the former Washfield Nursery in the United Kingdom. It is a recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These popular garden plants are easy to grow. Hylotelephiums are ideal for that part of your garden that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. They also grow well in containers.
Hylotelephiums prefer full sun. They tolerate light to partial shade in hot summer climates but produce weak, floppy growth when grown in too much shade or overly rich soils.
These succulents do not need rich soil, but they do need excellent drainage. Choose a commercial potting mix for succulents, or make one yourself.
Hylotelephiums are drought-tolerant once established. The best way to water a Hylotelephium is to use the "soak and dry" method. First, get the soil completely wet, then wait until it is dry before watering again.
Feed annually with a balanced fertilizer. According to package directions, apply the fertilizer to the soil in spring as new growth appears.
Hylotelephiums can be grown from seeds, division, or stem cuttings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Hylotelephium.
Links
- Back to genus Hylotelephium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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