Sedum reflexum also called as Reflexed stonecrop, Jenny's stonecrop, Blue stonecrop, Stone orpine, Prick-madam, Trip-madam, Sedum rupestre, Petrosedum reflexum, is a species in the genus Sedum. It is a good species for the border, large rock garden, or indeed, any difficult spot in the garden.
Sedum reflexum also called as Reflexed stonecrop, Jenny's stonecrop, Blue stonecrop, Stone orpine, Prick-madam, Trip-madam, Sedum rupestre, Petrosedum reflexum, is a species in the genus Sedum. It is a good species for the border, large rock garden, or indeed, any difficult spot in the garden. As ground cover, it is much more open and upright, and not rapidly spreading. It grows well on a wall and often seeds itself around.
IDENTIFY SEDUM REFLEXUM - SEDUM RUPESTRE
Sedum reflexum is native to Europe (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Albania, Greece, Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia and Spain) and south-western Russia. It has been introduced elsewhere in a multitude of settings from coastal sand dunes to about 2000 m (7000 ft) in the Pyrenees Mountains. It was probably introduced from Flanders in the Middle Ages to Ireland and England as a salad crop.
It is a sturdy, fairly upright plant with 30-cm (12-in) tall inflorescences of bright yellow and 6 or 7 partite flowers, which are reflexed in bud. Leaves are stiff, succulent, apiculate, and terete. Plants do not die back to tight clusters of soft leaves at stem tips in summer, though some forms appear to be reduced to leaf clusters on the ends of fairly erect, stiff, sturdy, bare stems.
Reflexed stonecrop is prone to fasciation (cristate forms), which produces attractive cactus-like forms, with irregular curves. The cristate form reverts very easily, so all normal shoots must be removed quickly.
This species is very variable. Some cultivars:
- Sedum reflexum "Blue Spruce" - a vigorous stonecrop species, acts as an excellent groundcover in shady areas. Forms a blanket of thick blue leaves resembling spruce needles. Yellow star-flower clusters appear in the summer.
- Sedum reflexum "Green Spruce" - this low-growing evergreen, spruce-like, succulent foliage is perfect for a sunny rock garden. Yellow flowers will appear in July.
- Sedum rupestre "Angelina" - in cold winter climates, the leaves usually turn reddish-orange. Starshaped yellow flowers appear in the summer but are not overly showy because of the lack of contrast with the yellow leaves.
- Two variegated forms are commonly grown in the United States but are rarely seen elsewhere: 'Sandy's Silver Crest', a form that turns purple in strong sunlight and has particularly striking new growth of contrasting yellow-white, and 'Sea Gold', a truly variegated slow-growing cultivar.
SEDUM REFLEXUM - SEDUM RUPESTRE CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Sedum reflexum grow best in full sun but it have good tolerance for light shade. It can tolerates more sunlight than many other plants. Only the cristate form requires some protection from rain in areas with particularly wet winters.
Temperature:
Sedum rupestre tolerates varying temperatures, and why it grows in areas many plants cannot. It is useful in gardens in USDA zones 5 to 8. It is hardy to about -15°C.
Substrate and growing media:
grow well in most soils but prefers a fertile well-drained soil, and can also be grown in a crevice on a wall. As a mat forming plant, it spreads rapidly and it is not suitable for the rockery
Watering:
Reflexed stonecrop, like other members of its genus in general - stores water in its leaves and is called a succulent. Water occasionally once established. The species has adapted to dry habitats with the aid of a structure that stores water and reduces evaporation. Established plants are very drought tolerant, they grow well in dry soils.
Fertilizer:
It does not require frequent feeding, as it is a self-fertile plant.
Pruning:
Sedum reflexum requires minimum grooming and maintenance. It grows well when left on its own and tolerates difficult conditions. It stays in leaf all year around.
Propagation:
It tends to be self-seeding and will expand season by season into a dense mat of succulent foliage. If you wish to start new plants, simply break off a stem and stick it into soil. The stem will quickly root. Water new plants for the first few months as they establish. Mature plants can tolerate drought conditions for brief periods.
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