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Hylotelephium × mottramianum

autumn joy

Crassulaceae

Hybrid of garden origin; parents from eastern Asia and Europe

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Hylotelephium x mottramianum is an upright, clump-forming succulent perennial reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Thick, unbranched stems carry fleshy, gray-green, toothed leaves 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long along their length. Flat-topped flower heads 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) across form at the stem tips; the tight buds open to pale pink star-shaped flowers in late summer, deepen to rose and copper-red through fall, and dry to rust-brown seed heads that stand through winter. Growth emerges as rosettes in spring and reaches full height by midsummer. The fleshy tissue stores water, so the plant tolerates drought once established. Stems flop outward from the center in rich soil, shade, or heavy moisture, leaving an open middle. Cutting back in early summer produces shorter, sturdier stems.

Native Range

A hybrid of garden origin not found in the wild. Its parent species in the genus Hylotelephium spp., formerly placed in Sedum spp., are native to eastern Asia and Europe, where they grow on dry, rocky slopes and open ground.

Suggested Uses

Used in perennial borders, rock gardens, and mass plantings, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. The fall flowers draw bees and butterflies, and the dried heads hold through winter. Stems flop in shade or rich soil, which limits use in those settings without cutting back.

How to Identify

Recognized by upright, unbranched succulent stems with fleshy gray-green toothed leaves, topped by flat, broad flower heads that open pale pink and age through rose to copper-red. The large flat flower clusters and thick stems separate it from low, mat-forming Sedum spp. species used as groundcover.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~9 weeks

Summer Fall

Flower heads color up in late summer, usually August, opening pale pink and deepening to rose and rust through September and October. The bloom lasts 8-10 weeks as the flowers age and dry. The brown seed heads remain into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink aging to rose and copper-red

Foliage Description

Gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun in average, well-drained soil; lean soil and full sun keep the stems upright, while rich soil, shade, or heavy water make them flop. Water during establishment, then little, since the succulent stems store water and tolerate drought. Cut the clump back by half in late spring or early summer to produce shorter, self-supporting stems. Crown and root rot develop in wet, poorly drained soil. Divide every 3-4 years in spring when the center thins. No fertilizer is needed on average soils.

Pruning

Cut stems back by one-third to one-half in late spring or early summer to limit flopping. Leave the dried flower heads through winter for structure, then cut all stems to the ground in late winter before new rosettes expand. Divide overgrown clumps in spring.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer