Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
It's no garden diva.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is the scientific name for the silvery perennial known colloquially as Live Forever.
Although popular, Autumn Joy is no garden diva.
It isn't showy.
It isn't fussy.
It has character—and a subtle beauty every season of the year.
Spring
In spring, Autumn Joy "greens up," sprouting thick, silvery foliage that feels firm and rubbery to the touch.
Here in Southern Maryland, the Autumn Joy in our flowerbeds grows to about five inches by mid-April. At this time, I divide it, giving away some clumps and transplanting some.
Slowly, as spring turns into summer, Autumn Joy's thick stalks grow taller, reaching up to two feet in height by July.
At their tips, flower heads form. Eventually the heads, which are comprised of small buds, widen and thicken.
On some of our larger Autumn Joy sedum plants, the heads grow up to four inches in diameter, with densely packed buds.
At first these buds are nondescript—small, light green and tight.
Summer
As spring passes into summer, the pale, tiny buds of Autumn Joy's flower heads slowly open to reveal increasingly vibrant color.
At first, the small flowers appear white. However, as summer progresses, the tiny buds further unfurl, appearing delicate, almost fragile, in pale pink or lavender.
Fall
By autumn, Autumn Joy's flower buds fully open, putting on quite a display, especially the big clumps of sedum. Their masses of thickly-packed purple, deep pink or red blossoms burst with vivid color atop silvery-gray, flat-topped flower heads—ideal landing pads for butterflies, bees and moths.
Here in Zone 7, our Autumn Joy is in full flower by mid-September, just when so many other herbaceous perennials are going to seed.
A staple in rock gardens and a habitue of difficult-to-cultivate areas, Live Forever can grow in just about any type of soil, so long as there's good drainage.
Winter
To give the garden structure in winter, Autumn Joy may be allowed to dry on the stalk. As it does so, it will go through an interesting period of transformation as its fleshy stalks and heads yellow, brown and shrink.
Eventually, the entire plant turns an attractive russet brown.
Although I pick a few drying stalks of Autumn Joy to use in arrangements, we leave our sedum plants whole rather than cut them back.
Dried Autumn Joy provides visual interest throughout the winter, standing tall even in the snow.
In spring, as the succulent, new green growth emerges, I break off the old dry stems and add them to my dried flower collection. In their own way, they're as beautiful as pearly balls of white hydrangea or the shiny coin-shaped pods of the money plant.
Spring, summer, fall, winter—Sedum 'Autumn Joy' has a quiet, subtle beauty every season of the year.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
Where can I buy a Sedum plant?
You can probably find it at a local garden center. It's also available online through Amazon and other sellers like Monrovia, Bluestone Perennials and White Flower Farm.
Helpful 3How do I root a sedum?
The easiest way to root autumn joy is to divide it into clumps in spring and plant the clumps. All sedum roots easily. Autumn joy also will root from soft tissue stems or leaves. I cut or break them off and plant them.
Helpful 2Is 'Autumn Fire' another name for Sedum 'Autumn Joy'?
Sedum 'Autumn Fire' is a new variety of Sedum 'Autumn Joy' that's supposed to have bigger flowerheads and longer lasting blooms.
Helpful 1Should sedum sit in the sun or the shade?
Sedum should be in full or part sun for about six to eight hours a day. Ours do best in full sun. Sedum is drought-tolerant, too, and some claim it's deer resistant, but we've had deer eat large chunks out of ours, so if you have deer in your neighborhood, you may want to spray your Autumn Joy periodically with a rotten egg/garlic repellent available at most garden centers.
Helpful 1My neighbor gave me a stalk of sedum and said you can plant the leaves partially in the ground and it will grow. Is this true ?
Yes!
Comments
Planted pinkish/rosey red autumn joy sedums in the late spring. As the buds are turning pinkish, they are turning dark brown! Any suggestions?
So very interesting and useful;even though we only have small paved patio we grow all sorts in containers and this gem will be so useful. Have a great day.
Eddy.
I have been adding sedum slowly over the years and really enjoy it. It's so easy to care for and I particularly enjoy the winter interest. Thanks for another beautiful and informative hub. Pinned, shared, up and beautiful.
I have Autumn Joy in several areas in my yard and just love it! The photo's of all the changes it makes each season are great in your hub. Voted Up and Beautiful:)
A great hub, informative and supported with lovely photos. Voting it up.
I love to garden too, but you are the expert. I learned a lot about gardening from my dad, and I considered him the expert too. What excellent style and creativity flourishes in your hubs. Absolutely telling and beautiful. Thanks much.
I noticed sedum all around the lake, especially around the Northern Reaches by the water. It is such a lovely succulent.
This is an interesting plant. My Mother used to have these around her property and would point out to me its appearance as it morphed into a new phase. I will have to see about giving some of it a home in my yard.
Sending you Angels this evening. :) ps
Fabulous photos! I'm going to be trying Autumn Joy this year. I finally have a garden with enough sun to be able to grow it.
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