perennial

Gray Stonecrop

Sedum pachyclados

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Gray Stonecrop (Sedum pachyclados) at Weston Nurseries

Gray Stonecrop foliage

Gray Stonecrop foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Gray Stonecrop (Sedum pachyclados) at Weston Nurseries

Gray Stonecrop

Gray Stonecrop

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  4 inches

Flower Height:  6 inches

Spacing:  10 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  5a

Brand:  Monrovia

Description:

An outstanding groundcover sedum, producing clusters of tiny white star shaped flowers in summer; tough and easy to grow; perfectly formed rosettes of blue-green foliage have scalloped and notched edges, giving it a lacy look

Ornamental Features

Gray Stonecrop has masses of beautiful clusters of white star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems in mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive small succulent narrow leaves emerge bluish-green in spring, turning grayish green in color with hints of powder blue throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Gray Stonecrop is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined 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.

Gray Stonecrop is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Gray Stonecrop will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 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 should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. 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 species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Gray Stonecrop is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture  Winter Value  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features