Blue sedums, often called stonecrop, are a distinctive group of succulent plants. These low-maintenance plants offer cool, silvery-blue to blue-green hues that provide a striking contrast against traditional green landscapes. Gardeners often seek blue sedums for their ability to add texture and year-round interest, making them a resilient choice for outdoor spaces. Their adaptability to diverse growing conditions makes them a favored option for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Understanding Blue Sedums
The distinctive blue coloration of sedum varieties comes from a natural protective layer called a glaucous coating or waxy bloom. This powdery, silvery-white film covers the plant’s leaves, reflecting sunlight and reducing water loss, giving the foliage its characteristic frosted or pastel blue appearance. As succulents, blue sedums possess specialized tissues for water storage in their leaves and stems. This adaptation allows them to endure drought and thrive in arid conditions, making them remarkably resilient. Their ability to retain moisture enables survival with minimal watering, contributing to their low-maintenance reputation.
Popular Blue Sedum Varieties
Among the diverse range of sedums, several blue varieties stand out for their aesthetic appeal and garden performance. Each offers a unique combination of size, growth habit, and specific blue tone.
Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’
This variety has fine, needle-like foliage resembling a spruce tree. This low-growing, creeping sedum typically reaches 6-8 inches tall and spreads 12-24 inches wide, forming a dense mat of blue-green leaves. In summer, it produces small, star-shaped yellow flowers that attract pollinators. ‘Blue Spruce’ is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
Sedum SunSparkler® ‘Blue Pearl’
This variety features intense purplish-blue foliage that deepens in color with sun exposure. This groundcover forms compact mounds, typically growing about 6-8 inches tall and spreading 18-24 inches wide. In late summer, ‘Blue Pearl’ is adorned with clusters of hot pink flowers that create a striking contrast against its blue leaves, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
Sedum ‘Blue Elf’
This intergeneric hybrid offers a compact, mat-forming habit with rounded, steel blue leaves. It typically grows to about 3 inches tall and spreads up to 15 inches wide, creating a dense, weed-suppressing groundcover. Fragrant, dark pink flowers appear in late summer to early fall. ‘Blue Elf’ is suitable for USDA zones 4-9 and retains its foliage color from spring through fall.
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’
This variety has frosty, silvery-blue leaves, often with a purple-red tinge along the edges, forming attractive rosettes. This low-growing, evergreen perennial typically reaches 4-8 inches tall and spreads up to 18 inches or more. Small, bright yellow flowers emerge in clusters from late spring into summer, attracting pollinators. ‘Cape Blanco’ is hardy in zones 6-10 and is well-suited for rock gardens.
Cultivating Blue Sedums
Blue sedums thrive in conditions that mimic their native arid environments. They perform best in full sun, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage robust growth and maintain their vibrant blue coloration. While some varieties tolerate partial shade, too much shade may lead to leggy growth and less intense foliage color.
Excellent drainage is crucial for blue sedums. They prefer lean, sandy, or gritty soils and do not tolerate heavy clay or overly moist conditions, which can lead to root rot. Amending native soil with sand, grit, or perlite can improve drainage.
Sedums are remarkably drought-tolerant once established. Watering should be infrequent and deep, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common issue. Most blue sedums are hardy perennials, typically thriving in USDA zones 3-9.
Using Blue Sedums in Your Garden
Blue sedums offer versatility in garden design, adding unique texture and color to various landscapes. Their low-growing and spreading habits make them an excellent choice for groundcover, forming dense mats that can suppress weeds. They are particularly effective in rock gardens, thriving in poor, rocky soils and cascading over stones.
These plants are well-suited for container plantings, either as standalone specimens or as “spillers” that trail over the edges. Blue sedums are ideal candidates for xeriscaping due to their low water requirements. They also integrate effectively into borders, providing a striking color contrast against other green or flowering plants. Their unique foliage and resilience make them a valuable addition to any garden.