Sedum 'Night Embers' - Night Embers Stonecrop

An impressive perennial for the mid-border, with mauve pink flowers in late summer held over succulent deep black-purple foliage and shiny deep red stems; tolerates dry conditions, may grow floppy in rich soils

Height: 26 inches. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 2b.

Ornamental features

Night Embers Stonecrop has masses of beautiful clusters of rose flowers with pink overtones at the ends of the stems from late summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large succulent round leaves emerge grayish green in spring, turning deep purple in color with hints of black throughout the season. The dark red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape

Night Embers Stonecrop is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Night Embers Stonecrop will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 26 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 24 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.