Autumn Joy Sedum Perennials

Habit

• “Autumn Joy,” which is thought to be a cross between Sedum telephium and Sedum spectabilis, two upright sedum varieties, forms a clump of stems about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Its fleshy, toothed, pale green foliage and thick stems are topped with flowers from August through November. The flowers attract butterflies and bees. “Autumn Joy” is deciduous and disappears completely in winter.

Culture

• This sedum is not fussy about soil type, but it does prefer good drainage. It grows in full to part sun, with regular water, but is very drought-tolerant once established. Where “Autumn Joy” is grown with other perennials in rich soil, it may be pinched back in early summer to encourage branching and shorter stems. Cut back all the stems to a few inches from ground level in early winter. The flowers can be dried for winter arrangements.

Pests and Diseases

• Sedum “Autumn Joy” is a tough plant with few problems, but overwatering or heavy soil will cause root rot. It is prone to powdery mildew if watered from above. Sometimes, it is attacked by common insect pests such as aphids, mealybugs and scale. Slugs and snails find it delectable, although rabbits and deer tend to leave it alone.

Propagation

• Propagate "Autumn Joy" by digging and dividing it into pieces in early fall and replanting the pieces. It also can be planted from seed or starts in spring. Divide the plant while it still looks good; don’t wait until it grows into a large, bushy perennial whose central stems have fewer and fewer flowers and whose outer stems droop.