Phedimus kamtschaticus (Orange Stonecrop)

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Phedimus spp.

false stonecrops

Crassulaceae Temperate eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Phedimus spp. is a genus of about 16 to 20 hardy succulent perennials in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), native to temperate eastern Asia from Siberia through China, Korea, and Japan. The species were long included in Sedum spp. and are still widely sold under that name. Plants form low clumps or spreading mats 5-40 cm (2-16 in) high, with fleshy, flattened, bluntly toothed leaves that are green through the season and flush red or bronze in autumn in several species. In summer they produce flat-topped clusters of small five-petalled, star-shaped flowers in yellow, pink, or red, which draw bees and butterflies. The two-row stonecrop (P. spurius) and its red-flowered selections are widely grown and form dense, weed-suppressing carpets. The genus is very cold hardy, taking temperatures well below freezing, and tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil once established. On rich or wet ground the mats can grow lax and rot, and some species spread far enough to crowd smaller neighbours.

Native Range

Phedimus spp. is native to temperate and cool parts of eastern Asia, ranging from Siberia and Mongolia through northern China to Korea and Japan. Several species have escaped cultivation and naturalised in Europe and North America.

Suggested Uses

Phedimus spp. species are planted as drought-tolerant groundcover on banks, in rock gardens, between paving, and on green roofs, where the dense mats suppress weeds and bind thin soil. They edge dry borders and spill over low walls and containers. The summer flowers support bees and butterflies.

How to Identify

Look for low succulent clumps of fleshy, flattened leaves with scalloped or toothed margins, unlike the smooth-edged leaves of many true sedums. Flat clusters of small star-shaped flowers in yellow, pink, or red top the stems in summer. The toothed, often broad leaves and the flat flower heads mark the genus out from the rounded-leaved, mounding Sedum spp. species it was once grouped with.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

red

bronze

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Star-shaped flowers open in summer, mainly June to August, in dense flat clusters that last several weeks. Bees and butterflies work the blooms steadily through the day. The drying seed heads hold their shape into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, pink, or red

Foliage Description

green, often red-tinged in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade on well-drained soil at a pH of 6.0-7.5 and accept sand, loam, and gritty ground. Once established they tolerate heat, drought, and hard frost and need almost no care. Wet, heavy, or shaded sites cause weak, sprawling growth and rot. Vigorous species spread by creeping stems that root where they touch soil, so they may need containing. Little or no feeding is required.

Pruning

Spent flower heads are sheared off after bloom, or left through winter and cleared in early spring. Edges of spreading mats are trimmed back to keep them in bounds. Rooted pieces lifted at the margins are an easy way to make new plants.