Does Sedum Telephioides Go to Seed?
Sedum telephioides is a cliffside plant native to North America. It is on the rare species list of New York state. Allegheny stonecrop is the common name for the plant, which has succulent leaves and bears small, bunched pink flowers. The native sedum can grow 1/2 foot in height, which makes it the tallest wild sedum. Sedums are most often propagated by cuttings but are also easy to start from seed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Flowers
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Sedum telephioides goes to seed after the flower has finished blooming. Sedum flowers last weeks and then the petals dry up and the seed is released in autumn. Telephioides has tiny, soft pink flowers that mass together to create a larger bouquet. Sedum telephioides is also named Live Forever, as are all flowering sedums, a nod to the length of time the blooms are held on the plant and the ease of regeneration. Sedums need to be planted in full sun to produce flowers.
Neglect is Good
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Sedums in the wild are exposed to harsh conditions and have adapted to fend for themselves. In cultivation, they are relatively easy to care for and their robust character makes them perfect for forgotten areas of the garden. Telephioides manages quite well as long as there is adequate sun. They resemble succulent plants that can stand drought conditions, but sedum will need supplemental irrigation in sunny dry spots. They grow best in gritty sand-laden soils with superior drainage. Slightly drier periods before flowering encourage seeds to form.
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Location
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Sedum telephioides is normally found growing in cracks or along the sides of rocky hillsides. Favorite locations are called maderate cliffs, which are characterized by cracks from the surface of the rock into underground caves. The cool air comes out from the caves and bathes the roots of the sedum. In the home garden, they can be part of a rockery planting, used as a border or even in a perennial bed. The plant is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 5 to 8. It is naturally found in New York and surrounding states. Telephioides grows equally well in high to medium elevations.
Planting the Seed
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Sedum can be started easily from seed, but the growth progresses slowly, which is why most are propagated from cuttings. The flowers need to remain on the plant in their habitat until they are fully dry. Then put a container under them and cut off the bloom. The small fruit will be exposed by the loss of the petals and can be squeezed and shaken into the container to collect the seed. Sedum telephioides will often self-seed and you will find tiny identical plants surrounding the parent. You can sow the seed outdoors in spring into a prepared bed or in a flat indoors.
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References
- Photo Credit sedum flowers image by Lytse from Fotolia.com
