Sedum spurium (Phedimus spurius)

Phedimus spurius is a low growing succulent with a maximum height of 10 cm. The flowers are star-shaped and appear during late spring through summer. They grow best with full sunlight but can survive with partial shade.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Phedimus spurius, the Caucasian stonecrop, Sedum spurium or two-row stonecrop, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae. It is still widely listed in the literature as Sedum spurium.

Phedimus spurius is one of a number of species of sedum that segregate amongst the Crassulaceae in the Rhodiola clade, and were placed in the tribe Umbiliceae. These species are generally regarded as forming a separate genus, Phedimus.}

Phedimus spurius is a spreading evergreen perennial with alternate, simple, fleshy leaves on creeping stems. The flowers are pink, borne in spring through fall.

Several cultivars exist, of which Phedimus spurius ‘Schorbuser Blut’, with rich pink flowers, has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It is hardy to −20 °C (−4 °F) and below, but requires a sheltered position in full sun, with well-drained soil.

II. Types of Sedum Spurium

Several variants exist, primarily noted for foliage color and/or flower color:

• Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’ – the most popular cultivar, very vigorous, with deep mauve or dark pink inflorescences, noted for its greenish-bronzed to reddish-bronzed foliage throughout the summer, that turns to a deep and attractive burgundy in winter.
• Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut’ or ‘Fireglow’, another dark burgundy Sedum spurium, is sometimes listed as ‘Dragon’s Blood’, although they are two distinct plants.
• Sedum spurium ‘Red Carpet’ – reddish foliage throughout the growing season, becoming a deep crimson in autumn and winter, rarely having deep carmine flowers; not as vigorous as most other greenor bronze-foliaged cultivars.
• Sedum spurium ‘Tricolor’ (also known as ‘Variegatum’) – foliage is a combination of faded jade green, white, and pink; this cultivar is weak, spreads slowly, is not dependably winter hardy, and rarely flowers. This variety is attractive both as a single specimen and as a large grouping, where it will paint a miniature revival of the pointillist school of post-impressionism.
• Sedum spurium ‘Voodoo’ is touted as the darkest burgundy of the Sedum spurium varieties. Deep burgundy leaves are topped with bright pink blooms from late spring through midsummer. Plants look striking paired with lime green succulents.
• Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’ has bright green leaves topped with mauve purple flowers in summer.
• Sedum spurium ‘Coccineum’ (also know as ‘Purple Carpet’) has bronze-tipped green leaves turn rusty red in chilly autumns.
• Sedum spurium “Album Superbum” has small, rounded, succulent-like green leaves which appear to be arranged in two columns along the stems which brings to surface the common name of “two-row” stonecrop. Tiny white star-like flowers will bloom in early summer.
• Sedum spurium “Bronze Carpet” – new bronze growth will emerge, then reverts to somewhat of a green colour as it matures and then eventually turning reddish-bronze in the winter. In the early summer, white to pale pink, star-like flowers will bloom.
• Sedum spurium “Elizabeth” has large, fan-shaped foliage. Colours form a deep green to red scalloped edges. The deep red flowers will bloom in early to midsummer.
• Sedum spurium “Fool’s Gold” has nice rounded leaves that are edged in pink surrounded in a white border on each leaf. The white on the leaves are much wider than the Sedum Tricolor. Blooms a pink flower.
• Sedum spurium “Ruby Mantle” – serrated scalloped leaves have a tinge of red with green centers. In the fall time, red-pink flowers will bloom in star-shaped clusters. A low growing sedum of a height of 6″.
• Sedum spurium “Summer Glory” – low carpet-forming variety. Small, rounded, green leaves spread to form a thick patch. In the summer, clusters of bright red star flowers appear. Fast growing and best kept away from slower alpine plants, it might smother. A shade tolerant sedum.

III. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Sedum spurium is a great ground cover for full sun yards. These plants can also tolerate partial shade, but you might not see such impressive blooms or rapid growth.

The exception is if you live in a sweltering southern state. Here, partial shade to provide respite from leaf-scorching afternoon sun is beneficial.

Temperature and Humidity

Despite being a sun-lover, sedum spurium is a surprisingly cold-tolerant semi-evergreen species. These plants can handle freezing temperatures, and the foliage begins to change color when the winter weather arrives.

In warmer regions, these plants are evergreen. However, sedum spurium isn’t a fan of humid, excessively wet weather.

Watering

Like all sedums, Sedum spurium has thick, fleshy leaves that store water. Those water-hoarding leaves help make Sedum spurium drought-tolerant. It is sensitive to overwatering which is why you should wait until the soil has dried out in between watering before you water again. Overwatering may result in fungal diseases. These plants are also drought tolerant, so they bear well if you neglect them for a while.

Never let your plants sit in water. Do not water on the leaves. If you water from beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes. The hotter it is outside, the faster your soil will dry out, so you’ll need to water more often if you live in a hot area. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods; protect from frost to prevent scarring.

Substrate and growing media:

Sedum spurium is a type of creeping succulent that spreads out and makes great ground cover. When growing in containers, they grow low and hang over the sides of the containers, so they provide a nice contrast in arrangements with lots of tall plants. Try planting this succulent in pallet gardens, hanging baskets, planting beds, or rock gardens. They’re perfect for any bare spots in your garden, too, because they’ll fill them in quickly.

When growing in pots, you need to choose container that will be 70-150% bigger than the roots ball, choose container shallow 10-15 deep will be enough possible bit more deep that but no point, the pot need to be shallow and wide, size of container can be minimum 5-8L but bigger better and in order to keep the plant in small need to cut the roots that will be place to re-grow again, drainage of the soil it’s important, but after few years drainage of the soil not function the same so need to change it to new soil, and in order to have good drainage possible to use potting mix, cactus potting mix or sandy soil better to put little stone little rocks like: gravel, lava rocks or pebbles.

It is extremely urban tolerant, and is usually reserved for highly stressful sites around rockery that exposes it to thin soils, poor soils, very dry soils, soils of various pH, low fertility, extreme heat, drought, full sun, and high light reflectance; however, it is not tolerant of wet or poorly drained soils.

Fertilizing

Hardy sedum spurium doesn’t typically need fertilizing. Very fertile soil can result in leggy, fragile growth. When soils are very poor, mixing some organic matter (such as compost) into the soil can help encourage abundant blooms.

Pruning

Low-maintenance, low-growing sedum spurium doesn’t need much in the way of pruning. After flowering, you might want to trim it back to retain a neat shape and prevent it from outgrowing the intended space.

Propagation

It’s easy to propagate Sedum spurium by division or by cuttings in spring or early summer. Follow the steps below to propagate by stem cuttings:

• Take a 3 to 4-inch cutting from a healthy stem using sharp, sterile pruning shears or scissors.
• Remove the bottom leaves, keeping a couple at the top of the stem. 
• Fill round the leafless stem base with a well-draining potting mix, ensuring the nodes at the bottom are covered.
• Keep the potting mix evenly moist (but not soggy) while awaiting the cutting to take root.
• Wait for signs of new growth (this can take two weeks to a month). Once the cutting shows resistance at a gentle tug, it has rooted.
• Move the cutting to its permanent location.

Pests and Diseases

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Sedum spurium is a hardy species that isn’t plagued with major pest or disease problems. However, watch out for slugs, snails, and scales. They all love to suck on the fleshy leaves and stems.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural way to control slugs and snails, and you can get rid of scale insects with neem oil or insecticidal soaps. Overwatering and poor drainage can lead to crown rot.

Common Problems 

Prevent your sedum spurium from prematurely perishing by watching out for these warning signs that you need to tweak its care.

Leggy Growth

Weak, floppy, leggy stems on your sedum spurium often suggest your plant isn’t receiving enough sun. This results in the plant stretching to reach the available light (etiolation). It could also be down to overly fertile soil.

Squishy Foliage

Overwatering quickly leads to root rot in sedum spurium. A sign that things are overly moist is foliage and stems that go from plump and firm to squishy and soft. The leaves often fall off when they get mushy.

Discolored Stems and Foliage

If your plant’s leaves are turning yellow, this is another common early indicator your sedum spurium is receiving too much water. It can also be a sign your plant needs more sunlight.

Assess your plant’s position, the soil’s drainage, and your watering schedule. Remember this plant doesn’t like wet feet, and you should let the soil dry out fully between waterings.

IV. Uses and Benefits 

You will most often see Phedimus spurius used as a groundcover because it spreads so easily. This succulent has good drought tolerance, so it is also a common choice in rock gardens and xeriscaped gardens. Place different variants in the same garden for a pleasing color contrast, or add Hens and chicks or Lambs ears.