Hylotelephium spectabile (Showy Stonecrop)

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Michael's Opinion

Originally known and still referred to by the name of Sedum spectabile, it was recently reclassified as a unique genus in its own right.  As its species name implies, it is a spectacular plant when it comes to large long lasting flowers.  This longevity is extended even as a cut flower.  Just as plants like Asters and Chrysanthemums are associated with autumn so is Hylotelephium spectabile. It is an excellent late season attracting plant for bees and butterflies. This succulent plant has flowers that come in hues of red, pink, or white. Some cultivars tend to get top heavy due to their large flower heads and end up looking floppy and messy. Its seed heads persist during the winter months. Showy stonecrop is considered as an old tried and true perennial for its ease of cultivation. 

 

 

Botanical Information

Family	Crassulaceae
Genus	Hylotelephium
Species	spectabile
Synonyms	Sedum
Category	Perennials
Origin	Southern Asia

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	3 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.	(Hylotelephium Spectabile)
RHS Hardiness Zone	H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.	(Sedum Spectabile)
Temperature (°C)	-34.4°C
Height	0.3 – 0.5 m
Spread	0.3 – 0.5 m
Growth	0.1 – 0.5 m
Flowering Period	August - October

Description and Growing Information

General Description	It is an herbaceous clumping perennial with thick erect stems that support elliptical shaped, gray-green leaves.  Masses of starry flowers are clustered at the terminal of the stems.
Shape	It has a rounded softly clumped shape.
Propagation	In spring, propagate by division.  In the early summer, stem cutting of non-flowering shoots can be placed into growing medium.
Cultivation	It performs well in full sun to partial shade.  Although it prefers well-drained soil, it does well in heavy clay. It grows well in neutral to slightly alkaline soils. After it has been established, it is drought tolerant.
Pests	It has no serious insect problems.
Leaf Description	The alternate leaves are serrated with oval edges.  They are waxy light green to gray in colour, although some cultivars, such as “Orange Zennox”, have purple-brown leaves.
Flower Description	Tiny star-shaped flowers are massed in flatten 7.6-15.2 cm wide cymes.  The flowers range in colour from dark red, pink, or white. Bloom time is long ranging from August to October.
Colour Description	The leaves range from light green to gray with some cultivars such as “Orange Zenox” having purple to brown leaves.  It has dark red, to pink, to white flowers with brown seed heads.
Texture Description	It has smooth waxy leaves and stems with soft fluffy flower heads.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited:

"Hylotelephium Spectabile 'Brilliant' - Plant Finder." Hylotelephium Spectabile 'Brilliant' - Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. .

 

"Sedum Spectabile." RHS Home Page / RHS Gardening. Royal Horticulture Society. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. .