Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'

Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood': A Groundcover with Fiery Flair

Low-growing but impossible to overlook, Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' forms a vibrant carpet of fleshy, scalloped leaves that shift from green to deep burgundy as the season progresses. In summer, clusters of starry, rose-red flowers burst into bloom above the foliage, attracting bees and butterflies while adding an extra punch of colour. This tough, sun-loving groundcover is both decorative and practical—ideal for edging, slopes, and dry spots where other plants falter.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 10–15 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming a dense mat
• Flower Colour: Rose-red
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Succulent, rounded green leaves that deepen to burgundy
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil; tolerates drought

Uses and Benefits: Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' excels as a low-maintenance groundcover for hot, dry sites, gravel paths, rock gardens, and retaining walls. Its colourful foliage and extended seasonal interest make it a popular choice for modern landscapes and pollinator plantings alike. It helps suppress weeds, stabilizes soil on gentle slopes, and holds its own through summer heat and occasional drought.

Companion Plants: Try pairing 'Dragon's Blood' with Veronica 'Royal Candles' for vertical contrast and deep purple spikes that echo the sedum’s rich tones. Brighten the palette with Coreopsis 'Sunkiss', whose golden-yellow blooms pop against the burgundy foliage. For movement and height, add Panicum 'Blood Brothers', a striking grass with cool-blue blades that blush red in late summer.

Care Instructions: Provide full sun and sharply drained soil for best colour and form. Water sparingly once established. Trim back spent flowers and tidy any leggy growth in spring. Easily divided or propagated by stem cuttings. Ideal for gardeners seeking beauty with minimal effort.

History: A selection of Sedum spurium, native to the Caucasus, 'Dragon's Blood' is one of the most widely grown red-leaved groundcover sedums. Valued for its hardiness and colour-shifting foliage, it has become a staple in both traditional and contemporary drought-tolerant plantings.

Final Thoughts: With its bold foliage and carefree habit, Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' adds enduring colour and function to sun-drenched spaces—proof that groundcovers can be both tough and beautiful.