Sedum clavatum (Tiscalatengo Gorge Sedum)

Scientific Name

Sedum clavatum R.T. Clausen

Common Names

Tiscalatengo Gorge Sedum

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Sedum clavatum is an attractive succulent with stout, creeping stems terminating in rosettes. It grows up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Rosettes are up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Leaves are fleshy, pale green or blue-green, sometimes with red tips. It has a compact inflorescence of many white, star-shaped flowers that appear in mid to late spring to early summer. The stems lose their leaves as they elongate but are often covered by younger stems so the plant can look like a solid mat of attractive rosettes.

Sedum clavatum (Tiscalatengo Gorge Sedum) — *Photo via blog.joins.com*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

When growing Sedums, keep in mind that these 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 because 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 usually enough to get the plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem is touching the ground and root itself. If you would like to ensure further that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin covering of soil over the plant.

You can break off one of the stems for taller varieties and push it into the ground where you would like to grow it. The stem will root very easily, and a new plant will be established in a season or two. See more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.