Sedum 'Coral Carpet'

Sedum 'Coral Carpet': Tiny Bead Leaves Blushing Coral

'Coral Carpet' is the wall-to-wall broadloom your parents had in 1978, except it actually looks good. Tiny round leaves go from green to coral-red, with little white stars sprinkled on top. RETRO IS BACK, BABY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Sedum album 'Coral Carpet'
• Common Name: Stonecrop, White Stonecrop
• Height: 3–7 cm (1–3 in)
• Spread: 30–50 cm (12–20 in)
• Flowers: Tiny, white, star-shaped flowers in airy clusters just above the foliage
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July)
• Foliage: Small, round, succulent green leaves that turn coral-red in summer and winter

Where to Plant: It's perfect between stepping stones, along the edges of gravel paths, and in rock gardens, troughs and green roofs. It also tumbles nicely over the edge of a container or a low wall. It handles hot, dry sites and thin, poor soil better than almost anything else.

Companion Plants: Let 'Coral Carpet' creep through a sunny, dry bed with giant alliums, a light blue haze and lemon coneflowers. Calamintha nepeta 'Blue Cloud' adds a haze of light blue flowers at 25 to 30 cm from June to September. Echinacea Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Improved brings lemon coneflowers at 46 to 56 cm from June to August. Allium 'Ambassador' opens giant purple globes at 90 to 120 cm in May and June. Pennisetum Lumen Gold™ glows bright gold at 30 to 60 cm in spring.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to light part sun in very well-drained soil. Sandy or gritty soil is best. Avoid low, soggy spots and heavy clay, or amend with plenty of grit. Water to establish, then rarely. No fertilizer needed. It spreads by creeping, rooting stems, and the leaves break off and root easily. To control it or fill a new spot, just lift pieces and replant them. It doesn't handle heavy foot traffic, so place it beside stepping stones rather than on a busy path.

History: Sedum album, white stonecrop, is native to temperate Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, and its species name means "white", for its flowers. 'Coral Carpet' is a compact selection grown for its strong red winter and summer colour.

Final Thoughts: Lay it between stepping stones or down a dry slope and let it fill in. Deer wander off. NO SHAG RUG REQUIRED.