Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Autumn Stonecrop, Showy Stonecrop

Description:

A highly desirable and popular groundcover, forming a dense mound completely covered in broccoli-like salmon-pink flowers which fade to red in early fall, succulent dusty-green foliage is prominent the rest of the season; needs a dry and sunny location

Ornamental Features

Autumn Joy Stonecrop has masses of beautiful clusters of pink flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to late fall, which emerge from distinctive coral-pink flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its large succulent round leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Autumn Joy Stonecrop is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Autumn Joy Stonecrop is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Autumn Joy Stonecrop will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.