Hylotelephium telephium
orpine
Overview
Hylotelephium telephium, formerly classified as Sedum telephium, is an upright herbaceous perennial in the stonecrop family reaching 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Clumps of erect, mostly unbranched stems carry fleshy, flattened, grey-green leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long with coarsely toothed margins, at times flushed with purple. From late summer into autumn the stems are topped by dense, flattened cymes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across, made up of many small star-shaped flowers in shades of reddish-purple to dusky pink. Bees and butterflies work the flowers, which mature into rust-brown seed heads that stand through winter. The swollen, tuberous roots store water and let the plant withstand extended dry spells. One limitation is that rich, moist soil and shade produce weak, floppy stems that splay open at flowering. Native to Europe and temperate Asia, the species has naturalised locally in North America and was long grown in cottage gardens and used as a pot-herb. It dies back to the ground in late autumn and reshoots from the crown in spring.
Native Range
Native to Europe and temperate Asia, from Britain and Scandinavia east across Russia to China and Japan. It grows on woodland edges, hedge banks, rocky slopes, and in grassland, and has naturalised locally in North America.Suggested Uses
Grown in mixed borders, gravel gardens, rock gardens, and wildlife plantings, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. The persistent seed heads add winter structure and the late flowers extend the season for pollinators.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from August into September, sometimes reaching early October in mild seasons. Dense terminal cymes of reddish-purple to dusky-pink flowers open over roughly six weeks. Bees and butterflies visit the nectar-rich blooms. The faded heads turn rust-brown and remain standing through autumn and winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
reddish-purple to dusky pinkFoliage Description
grey-green, at times flushed purpleGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Hylotelephium telephium grows in full sun to part sun on free-draining loam or sandy soil of moderate fertility. Once established the fleshy roots make it markedly drought-tolerant, and it needs little supplemental water in most temperate gardens. Overly rich or moist soil and shade cause the stems to flop, while lean conditions and open exposure keep the clump upright. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and dies back to the crown each winter. Division every three to four years in spring keeps clumps dense and vigorous. Aphids sometimes cluster on young growth but rarely cause lasting damage.Pruning
Dead stems are cut to ground level in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge, or left standing for winter structure. A one-third trim in late spring (the Chelsea chop) produces shorter, self-supporting growth. Spent flower heads may be left as seed for birds.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springwinter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons