SunSparkler Dazzleberry Sedum is an eye-catching cultivar known for its vibrant colors and straightforward care. This succulent perennial offers striking foliage and abundant blooms. Its adaptability to various garden settings makes it a reliable and beautiful plant.
Key Characteristics
SunSparkler Dazzleberry Sedum features smoky blue-gray foliage that maintains its color throughout the growing season, often deepening to purple shades in the fall. This compact stonecrop forms low-growing mounds, reaching 6 to 8 inches tall and spreading 15 to 18 inches wide. In late summer to early fall, the plant produces large clusters of bright raspberry-pink flowers, often measuring 6 to 9 inches across, which can last for several weeks. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9.
Planting and Growing
For optimal growth and vibrant coloration, SunSparkler Dazzleberry Sedum requires full sun, at least six hours daily. While it can tolerate light shade, full sun ensures the best foliage color. This sedum performs best in well-draining soil, preferring average to lean conditions and tolerating sandy or gritty types. Avoid rich or overly wet soils, as they can lead to weak, leggy growth and root issues.
When planting, ensure the crown is at or just slightly below ground level. Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart for mature growth and air circulation. After planting, water deeply. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering during dry periods, as wet conditions can be detrimental.
Ongoing Care
SunSparkler Dazzleberry Sedum is a low-maintenance plant that requires little fertilization. If soil is poor, a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can support growth, but avoid over-fertilizing, which promotes leggy growth and reduces foliage color. Pruning is not necessary, but tidying enhances its appearance. Remove spent flower heads for neatness, and cut back overgrown or damaged stems to ground level in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
The plant is cold hardy and often retains foliage in mild winter regions, providing year-round interest. In colder zones, leaving spent foliage and flower stalks through winter offers protection and visual appeal. Minimal winter preparation is needed, as its hardiness withstands various temperatures. Established plants are also deer and rabbit resistant.
Landscaping Applications
SunSparkler Dazzleberry Sedum is versatile and suits various garden designs. Its compact, mat-forming habit makes it an excellent groundcover, creating a colorful, weed-suppressing carpet. It also suits rock gardens, containers, and borders as an edging plant. The plant’s vibrant raspberry-pink blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this sedum’s drought tolerance makes it ideal for xeriscaping or dry areas. Its smoky blue-gray foliage provides a striking contrast to other plants, and the long-lasting blooms ensure continuous color from late summer into fall. This combination of visual interest and resilience makes it suitable for sunny, dry garden spots.