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Herbaceous Perennial

Hylotelephium telephium subsp. maximum 'Gooseberry Fool'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

orpine 'Gooseberry Fool'

A clump-forming perennial to 60cm tall with grey-green leaves flushed red along the midribs. Flowerheads up to 20cm across comprising greenish to creamy-white flowers are borne from summer into autumn on purplish-red stems

Synonyms
Sedum telephium subsp. maximum 'Gooseberry Fool'
Sedum 'Gooseberry Fool'
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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 Grey Silver Green
Summer Purple Red Cream Green White Grey Silver Green
Autumn Purple Red Cream Green White Grey Silver Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
May cause mild stomach upset if eaten, contact with sap may irritate skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
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

Accepted

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
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • 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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