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Herbaceous PerennialSynonym

Sedum telephium subsp. telephium
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

bag leaves

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial up to 40cm high and wide with erect pink stems and fleshy grey-purple leaves flushed pink, producing terminal clusters of creamy-yellow flowers in late summer, maturing to reddish-brown seedheads in autumn

Other common names
evergreen
frog's bladder
see morelife of man
purple stonecrop
toad belly
Synonyms
Sedum telephium var. purpureum
Sedum telephium subsp. telephium
see moreSedum telephium subsp. telephium var. purpureum
Sedum telephium subsp. purpureum
Sedum telephium subsp. purpurascens
Sedum purpureum
Sedum purpurascens

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Pink Purple Green Grey Silver
Autumn Pink Purple Green Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Hylotelephium are succulent perennials with heads of small star-shaped flowers in summer to autumn. They are sometimes included within the genus Sedum

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun, see hylotelephium cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

For bushy, compact plants, cut back the new stems by half in late May, this method is called the Chelsea Chop. Or cut back after flowering, and during border tidy ups in late winter before new growth emerges; seedheads can be left to overwinter

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal and bacterial crown and root rot on wet soils, or powdery mildews on very dry soils

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