Petrosedum rupestre
reflexed stonecrop
Mountains and rocky areas of central and western Europe
Overview
Petrosedum rupestre, also listed as Sedum rupestre and Sedum reflexum, is an evergreen mat-forming succulent with trailing and ascending stems clothed in blue-green to grey-green needle-like leaves. The fleshy leaves are about 0.5-0.75 inch (12-18 mm) long and densely set, giving non-flowering shoots a bottlebrush look. Foliage mats stay 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) high and spread to 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) wide, rooting where stems touch the ground. In summer, arching stems rise to about 12 inches (30 cm) and open into flat-topped clusters of yellow star-shaped flowers that draw bees and butterflies; the flower buds nod before opening. It grows on rocks, walls, gravel, and thin dry soil, storing water in its leaves to withstand drought and heat. The main limitation is intolerance of wet, heavy soil and deep shade, where stems rot or stretch and thin. The young shoots are edible and have been used as a salad herb in parts of Europe. It is widely grown on green roofs, in rock gardens, and between paving.
Native Range
Petrosedum rupestre is native to the mountains and rocky places of central and western Europe. It grows on cliffs, rocky outcrops, walls, and dry stony ground. It has naturalized in parts of North America and elsewhere from garden plantings.Suggested Uses
Grown on green roofs, in rock gardens, gravel gardens, wall crevices, and between paving where drainage is sharp. It works in shallow containers and as drought-tolerant ground cover. Its low mats suit edging and exposed dry sites that challenge other plants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Yellow star-shaped flowers open in summer, mainly June to August, in flat-topped clusters on arching stems. The nodding buds straighten as the flowers open and are visited by bees and butterflies. Dry seed heads follow and can be left or trimmed off.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Blue-green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Petrosedum rupestre grows in full sun on sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil of low fertility. Once established it is highly drought-tolerant and needs little or no watering except in extended dry heat. It is hardy across USDA zones 5 to 9 and needs no winter protection. Wet, heavy soil and deep shade are its main enemies, causing stems to rot or grow thin and lax. No feeding is needed, and excess nutrients produce weak growth. In containers it needs gritty, free-draining compost.Pruning
Trim back flowered stems after blooming to keep the mat dense and tidy. Lift and replant or remove sections where the mat outgrows its space. Stems that have rotted or thinned in shade can be cut out and replaced with healthy cuttings.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons