Sedum 'Coral Carpet'

Sedum album 'Coral Carpet': Spreading Succulent with Seasonal Shifts

Low-growing and richly coloured, Sedum 'Coral Carpet' forms a tight, creeping mat of tiny, rounded succulent leaves that shift from green to coral-bronze as the seasons change. Especially vibrant in cool weather, its foliage brings warm contrast to rock gardens, gravel paths, and sun-drenched borders. Starry white-pink flowers appear in early summer, adding soft detail atop its textural base. Heat and drought tolerant, this sedum offers vivid ground-level interest with virtually no maintenance, making it a go-to for dry, sunny sites.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 5–10 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm, spreading slowly by creeping stems
• Flower Colour: Pale pink to white
• Flowering Period: Early to mid-summer
• Foliage: Green turning bronze-red; tiny, rounded, succulent leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil; drought tolerant

Uses and Benefits: 'Coral Carpet' is ideal for rock gardens, green roofs, and edging sunny walkways. Its colourful foliage and petite form complement bold perennials and grasses, while providing weed suppression and erosion control in lean soils. Evergreen in milder regions, it’s a tough yet ornamental choice for low-maintenance groundcover with four-season visual interest.

Companion Plants: Pair Sedum 'Coral Carpet' with Salvia nemorosa 'Bumbleberry', whose deep rose-purple spikes rise above the sedum’s warm-toned mat. Add Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' for bold, multi-coloured blooms that echo the coral and red hues in the foliage. Complete the composition with Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats Grama), whose arching, oat-like seedheads bring movement and a soft prairie texture.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and sharply drained soil. Water occasionally during dry spells until established; mature plants thrive on neglect. Trim back lightly after flowering to maintain a tidy form. Divide or replant as needed to expand or refresh the mat.

History: A cultivar of Sedum album, native to Europe and parts of Asia, 'Coral Carpet' has become a favourite for its vibrant colour shifts and exceptional hardiness. Its drought resistance and compact form make it especially valuable in modern low-water and alpine-inspired gardens.

Final Thoughts: Colourful and carefree, Sedum 'Coral Carpet' delivers seasonal flair and succulent texture—bringing warmth, contrast, and lasting charm to the driest, sunniest corners of the garden.