Sedum ‘Class Act’ (Stonecrop)

Sturdy, compact and handsome, award-winner Sedum ‘Class Act’ is spectacular in the late summer garden. Opening from gray-green to whitish buds, earlier than most sedums, its large flowerheads, about 4 in. wide (11 cm), are deep, burgundy red, almost ruby-pink. They are borne on upright, green to rose-colored stems that contrast nicely with the mid-green, slightly glaucous, foliage of oblong, fleshy leaves.

 Vigorous, hardy, carefree, good-looking, with a season of interest lasting more than 6 months from early summer until well into winter, who could resist?

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society 
• Easy to grow, this deciduous perennial forms a 16-18 in. tall (40-45 cm) and 14-20 in. wide (35-50 cm) clump of thick, fleshy mid green foliage topped with flower buds resembling broccoli. Gradually, these densely clustered buds will reveal tiny, star-like rose-pink flowers in mid to late summer, which will softly change to ruby-pink in the fall and then coppery-rust in winter as they die.
• 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?