Sedum caeruleum (Azure Stonecrop)

Scientific Name

Sedum caeruleum L.

Common Names

Azure Stonecrop, Blue Stonecrop, Sky Stone Crop, Baby-blue Stone Crop, Red Leaf, Barbary Stones

Synonyms

Anacampseros caerulescens, Oreosedum caeruleum, Sedum azureum, Sedum coeruleum, Sedum heptapetalum

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sedum

Description

Sedum caeruleum is an annual, succulent, bushy herb, simple or much branched from the base, erect, up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. The leaves are green, narrowly oblong and usually tinted red, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. It produces cymes of pale blue or white (rarely pinkish), many-stellate flowers from July to September.

Photo via actaplantarum.org

How to Grow and Care

When growing Sedum, keep in mind that Sedum plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions that many other plants thrive in, but will do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop, due to the fact that many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.

Sedum is easily planted. For shorter varieties, simply laying the plant on the ground where you want it to grow is normally enough to get the Sedum plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem is touching the ground and root itself. If you would like to further ensure that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin covering of soil over the plant. For taller Sedum varieties, you can break off one of the stems and push it into the ground where you would like to grow it. The stem will root very easily and anew plant will be established in a season or two… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Sedum.