Sedum Spectabile Autumn Joy Stonecrop

Sedum Spectabile Autumn Joy is an AGM-winning deciduous succulent perennial with thick leaves and clusters of tiny bright pink autumn flowers. This perennial suits sunny flower borders, rock gardens and plant containers.

Sedum Spectabile are succulent perennials native to China and Korea and are often called Stonecrop. Many cultivars exist, but Autumn Joy is one of the best-loved. It was introduced by German plant breeder Georg Arends in 1955 as the result of crossing Eurasian Hylotelephium with the Chinese/Korean Hylotelephium Spectabile. Autumn Joy has water-retaining oblong leaves that emerge pale green in late spring on fleshy stalks. In late summer to early autumn, large flat clusters of pinky-green buds open to reveal tiny rich-pink flower stars. As autumn progresses, the flowers mature to deep pink and shades of brown before the whole plant dies down with the frosts.

This pretty and much-loved Stonecrop is sometimes called Sedum Spectabile Herbstfreude (German for Autumn Joy). It has retained an RHS AGM for years and provides months of late summer to early autumn colour.

Height And Spread of Sedum Spectabile Autumn Joy
A low-growing plant, Stonecrop Autumn Joy can reach a height of 1 metre and spread over a metre in 5 years.  

How Hardy Is Sedum Spectabile Autumn Joy
This is a hardy succulent perennial if grown in well-drained soil. It is able to survive minus temperatures and is drought-hardy once established. Pests rarely bother it.

How To Use Sedum Spectabile Autumn Joy
This sun-loving plant brings colour and form to late summer and early autumn gardens. It suits country-style borders, rock gardens, gravel gardens, and dry front gardens.
Sedum Autumn Joy will grow in a plant container and brighten up a balcony, patio or deck with its tiny nectar-rich flowers that attract numerous pollinators, especially late-season butterflies. In China, the flowers are widely used in flower arranging. 

How To Care For Sedum Spectabile Autumn Joy
Stonecrop Autumn Joy needs well-drained soil and a hot sunny position to thrive. It’s a succulent that stores water in its leaves and does not like consistently damp soil.
It will grow in sandy and chalky conditions without fuss and does not require regular pruning. Either cut back spent flowerheads in autumn or leave them to catch the early frosts and shine in the low sun.
Cover Autumn Joy’s roots and crown with mulch across the winter to prevent waterlogging and frost damage.