Hylotelephium telephium subsp. maximum 'Gooseberry Fool'
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
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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 ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical 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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