Sedum 'Larinem Park'

Sedum 'Larinem Park': Finally, a Stonecrop That Loves Shade

Most stonecrops sulk when the sun goes down. 'Larinem Park' just shrugs, lays out a light green mat and keeps going in full sun or full shade, with little white stars on top. SHADE? IT'S FINE. EVERYTHING'S FINE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Sedum ternatum 'Larinem Park'
• Common Name: Woodland Stonecrop
• Height: 8–15 cm (3–6 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Small, white, star-shaped flowers in loose clusters held just above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Small, rounded, light green succulent leaves in whorls of three, forming a low, evergreen mat
• Features: Shade tolerant, rabbit resistant

Where to Plant: This is the sedum for spots where sedums usually fail: under deciduous trees, along a shady path, between stones in a woodland garden, or on a shaded rock wall. It knits into a low mat that covers the soil and keeps weeds down, and it also works in containers and shady troughs. It spreads fairly quickly, so keep it away from tiny alpines it could smother.

Companion Plants: Use 'Larinem Park' as a carpet in sun or light shade with soft pink cranesbill, pinks and red coneflowers. Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersen's Variety' adds soft pink flowers and scented leaves at 30 to 45 cm from May to July. Dianthus Pretty Poppers® 'Kiss and Tell' brings semi-double pinks at 20 to 25 cm from June to September. Echinacea Sombrero® Salsa Red adds bright red coneflowers at 61 to 66 cm from June to September. Elymus canadensis stands behind at 90 to 150 cm with nodding, bristly seed heads.

Plant Care: Plant in average, well-drained soil, from full sun to full shade. In shade it prefers soil that stays lightly moist; in sun it handles drier, leaner ground. Avoid spots where water pools in winter. Water regularly through the first season. It needs almost no care. Tidy any winter-damaged bits in spring. To fill gaps or share it, break off rooted pieces in spring or early summer and plant them where you want more.

History: 'Larinem Park' is a vigorous, free-flowering selection of woodland stonecrop from Mineral County, West Virginia, introduced in 1991 by The Primrose Path nursery of Scottdale, Pennsylvania. In Ontario the species was known historically only from the Niagara region and may no longer grow wild there.

Final Thoughts: Tuck it under trees where the grass gave up. Deer and rabbits get nothing. THE GROUNDCOVER THAT DOESN'T NEED THE SPOTLIGHT.