Sedums add dramatic interest, texture to gardens

The world of sedums, or stonecrops, is a large one. Native to many parts of the world, sedums vary greatly in size, shape and color and can make dramatic contributions to most any garden. They range from tiny-leaved ground covers with trailing habits to large upright plants. These succulent perennials typically have small, star-shaped flowers, which bloom in fairly large clusters and vary in color from white to yellow, pink, salmon or red. And their fleshy leaves are great for adding texture to the garden composition. In fact, the foliage alone can provide wonderful accent and can be found in a variety of colors including green, chartreuse and red. There are also some beautifully variegated types to choose from.

One of my personal favorites is Autumn Joy. Growing 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide, this variety offers wonderful late summer color. Its blooms are pink when they open into rounded clusters that later age to a coppery pink and finally to rust. The dried flowers stay intact and provide great winter interest (until the snow knocks them down.) And even though this stonecrop prefers sun, it will tolerate the shade that my yard has to offer.

Another favorite is Ogon, a bright gold ground cover. The small round foliage forms a springy mat, roughly 2 inches high and produces yellow flowers during the summer. This sedum is very versatile, thriving in sun or shade, and is recommended as a companion to hostas, astilbes and Japanese maples. It’s a great plant for brightening up dark areas of your garden. Although the leaves are thick, they are easily crushed and will not take foot traffic.

Stonecrops typically perform best in full sun (unless the sun is scorching hot) and well-drained soil. Some will take partial shade. They require very little care, no fertilization and minimal water. To promote bushier growth and more flowers, pinch the plants back several times before midsummer. Divide your sedums when the centers of the clumps start flowering less vigorously. Because of their thick, tough leaves, stonecrops are relatively pest and disease free, but be careful not to over water or fertilize as this could cause root or stem rot.

These plants are perfect for difficult sites, adjusting to sand and gravel, drought, hot curbs and pathways. They are also great for growing in containers and rock gardens. Combine stonecrops with plants that like similar growing conditions such as blanket flower, ornamental grasses, salvias, Russian sage and coreopsis.

This week in the garden

Keep deadheading your annuals and perennials. Perennials can be divided and transplanted once the temperature begins to drop.

Do not fertilize woody perennials, shrubs and trees until next year as they are beginning to harden off for the winter.

Yellow jackets are really active during the month of August so keep wasp and yellow jacket sprays handy and check your traps. While they can be very bothersome, remember that these guys are actually beneficial to your yard and garden.

Harvest vegetables as they ripen such as beans, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, carrots and summer squash. Overripe fruit on a plant will prevent the smaller fruit from developing.

Squash that produces blossoms but no fruit may signal lack of pollination. Hot weather, heavy irrigation, or lack of bee activity may be the cause. If squash plants start dying, look for squash bugs at the bottom of the plant.

Mid-August is the time to fertilize strawberries as they are forming fruit buds for next year’s berries and need food. Remember to use all fertilizers according to package instructions.

After raspberries have finished bearing fruit, prune canes by cutting brown, dry canes to the ground. These will not produce fruit again. Leave new green canes that grew this year and tie loosely to a fence or trellis.

Start digging potatoes when the tops begin to yellow. Avoid over watering for the rest of the season.

Now is a good time to mulch around plants and vegetables. The mulch will help keep the ground temperatures cooler and prevent water evaporation.

It is time to summer-prune your trees. Contact county extension or a certified arborist for information on the proper techniques.