Sedum telephium
orpine
A clump-forming, deciduous perennial to 60cm tall, with erect, pale green stems bearing fleshy, grey-green leaves. Small, dark pink, star-shaped flowers are produced in dense clusters in late summer and early autumn
Other common names
alpinealpine live-long
see morefrog's stomach
harping Johnny
life-everlasting
live forever
live-for-ages
livelong
midsummer men
orphan John
stone-hot
witch's moneybags
live-for-ever
Synonyms
Sedum decumbens LuceSedum telephium
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- May cause mild stomach upset if eaten, contact with sap may irritate skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Hylotelephium are succulent perennials with heads of small star-shaped flowers in summer to autumn. They are sometimes included within the genus Sedum
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. See hylotelephium cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or by softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
For bushy, compact plants, cut back the new stems by half in late May, this method is called the Chelsea Chop; or cut back after flowering, and during border tidy ups in late winter before new growth emerges; seedheads can be left to overwinter
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails and vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal and bacterial crown and root rots on wet soil, or powdery mildews on dry soils
Get involved
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