Sedum 'Russian Stonecrop'

Sedum kamtschaticum ‘Russian Stonecrop’: Golden Blooms, Rock-Solid Resilience

A rugged beauty with a sunny disposition, Russian Stonecrop offers cheerful yellow star-shaped flowers over glossy green foliage in early to midsummer. This low, mounding sedum thrives in hot, dry conditions and spreads steadily to form a weed-suppressing mat. Its thick, scalloped leaves often develop warm red tones in fall, extending its ornamental value well beyond bloom time. With its bright colour, tidy habit, and bulletproof nature, this is a groundcover that works as hard as it shines.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 10–15 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm, slow to moderate spread
• Flower Colour: Bright yellow
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer
• Foliage: Glossy green, scalloped leaves; may blush red in autumn
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil; drought tolerant

Uses and Benefits: Russian Stonecrop is a reliable groundcover for sunny slopes, gravel gardens, rockeries, and borders with lean soil. Its low profile and spreading habit make it ideal for stabilizing soil, filling gaps, or edging paths. Pollinators are drawn to its bright blooms, and its tolerance for heat and drought makes it a practical solution for tough, low-maintenance landscapes.

Companion Plants: Combine Russian Stonecrop with Veronica 'Snow Candles' for fresh white verticals that bloom alongside its golden stars. Add Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise' to echo the yellow theme and prolong the sunny colour into late summer. For bold structure and movement, integrate Panicum 'Heavy Metal', whose upright, steely-blue blades contrast the sedum’s spreading form beautifully.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with excellent drainage. Water occasionally during dry spells in the first year, then reduce as it establishes. Prune spent flowers and trim back growth in early spring to maintain form. Divide as needed every few years to refresh clumps or share with fellow gardeners.

History: Native to eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, Sedum kamtschaticum has long been valued for its toughness and versatility in alpine and dryland plantings. The common name “Russian Stonecrop” reflects both its heritage and its adaptability to stony, exposed conditions.

Final Thoughts: Unfussy and full of life, Russian Stonecrop brings golden cheer and ironclad reliability to the garden—proof that beauty and resilience can go hand in hand.