Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’)

Award-winner Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ or ‘Autumn Joy’ in English is probably one of the best border sedums. 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?

• Twice granted the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Easy to grow, this standout perennial forms a 2 feet tall and wide (60 cm) clump of thick, fleshy blue-green foliage topped with flower buds resembling broccoli. Gradually, these densely clustered buds will reveal tiny, star-like soft raspberry pink flowers in mid to late summer, which will softly change to rich rose and then coppery-rust in the fall as they die.
• Foliage and dead inflorescences will remain attractive through winter, providing additional interest.
• It provides color and contrast to beds, borders, or rock gardens 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 are 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?