How to Plant Sedum Reflexum
The species Sedum, or stonecrops, are hardy perennial plants. Sedum are beautiful plants, with clumps of stems growing up from the ground and succulent, round leaves growing up the stem. They grow both low, as a ground cover, and upright. Sedum reflexum is a low-growing, blue-gray stonecrop that resembles miniature blue spruce trees, giving it the name 'Spruce-leaved stonecrop.' It has narrow stems that produce small, succulent leaves, thrives in full sun, and produces yellow blooms in mid-summer. It grows to about six inches high, and is hardy in Zones 3 to 7.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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Planting Sedum reflexum
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1
Prepare the area where you will plant the Sedum reflexum by adding some compost to the soil, and loosening the soil to ensure good drainage. Due to its low-growing nature, it will look best in a rock path or wall, in a container, or in the front of a perennial border. Sedum reflexum prefers slightly acidic soil; adding some peat moss will provide enough acidity for Sedum reflexum to thrive.
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2
Divide the Sedum reflexum plant by pulling it apart gently at the roots. Sedum reflexum propagates easily from roots. Plant each piece about 12 to 18 inches apart in an area that receives full sun. Place each stem about one inch deep, or until root hairs are under soil line.
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3
Plant the Sedum reflexum in the spring before flowers appear, or in fall after blooming is finished. If you plant Sedum reflexum while it is in bloom, be sure to cut off flowers so that the plant puts energy into root growth, rather than flower production. Each stem that you plant will eventually grow into a full size plant, and continue to spread. If you are starting with smaller pieces, just plant them closer together so they fill in faster.
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4
Fill in dirt around the plants and gently press down. Water the newly planted Sedum reflexum everyday, saturating the ground until the plant is established, about a week. Keep the plant well-watered the first summer, water deeply to encourage deep root growth. Sedum reflexum is drought resistant. Once the plant is established you will not need to water unless the plant looks stressed, or there are unusually severe dry spells.
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5
Once the plants have filled in, you can start plants by take leaves or stem cutting and soaking in water until root hairs appear. Then plant as directed above. You can also grow Sedum reflexum from seed by collecting the seed in late fall, storing the seeds over the winter in a cool, dry place, and then starting the seeds indoors in spring.
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