Sedum ‘Birthday Party’ (Stonecrop)

Bred for both a compact habit that doesn’t open up, and large flower heads, Sedum ‘Birthday Party’ is a real beauty. It produces extra-full buds, gray-green to almost white, which tend to overlap. Upon opening, the huge flowers, 5 in. wide (12 cm), are deep rose pink. The petals are paler than the carpels but get darker over time. They contrast beautifully with the fresh green glossy foliage which takes a burgundy-red edge and deepens as the season progresses.

• This deciduous perennial forms a 7-11 in. tall (17-28 cm) and 20 in. wide (50 cm) clump of thick, fleshy foliage topped with flower buds resembling broccoli. Gradually, these densely clustered buds will reveal tiny, star-like pink flowers in late summer, which will softly change to deep rose-pink in fall.
• Both foliage and dead inflorescences will remain attractive through winter, providing some additional interest.
• Provides color and contrast to beds, borders or rock garden at a time when most plants have stopped blooming. Effective when planted en masse or in groups.
• Best grown in full sun, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates very light shade and poor soils.
• Flowers are attractive to bees, hummingbirds and butterflies and excellent as cut flowers.
• Drought and heat tolerant once established, it is disease resistant!
• Deer resistant
• Low maintenance, this Sedum forgives neglect!

Members of the genus Hylotelephium, border sedums are essential beauties for the late season garden and deserve a spot in gravel gardens. Undemanding, not aggressive, with fleshy, drought resistant foliage and lovely domed flowerheads packed with a profusion of tiny starry flowers, opening to white, pink or red blossoms in late summer or early fall, they are a popular attraction to butterflies. They look particularly attractive with Asters, Solidago (Ornamental Golden rods), Boltonias and Ornamental Grasses. Standing for months, their faded flowers and seed heads provide a colorful display in late fall and winter, even under snow caps. There are hundreds of Hylotelephium cultivars and hybrids to pick from. Which one will be yours?