© Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Sedum kamtschaticum
Kamchatka Stonecrop
Eastern Russia (Kamchatka Peninsula), China, Korea, Japan
At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Maturity1 years
Overview
Sedum kamtschaticum (syn. Phedimus kamtschaticus) is the Kamchatka stonecrop — a hardy, adaptable creeping sedum, growing 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) tall and 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) wide. Named after the Kamchatka Peninsula of far-eastern Russia, this species tolerates conditions that limit most other sedums: extreme cold (zone 3), partial shade, and heavier soil. Bright golden-yellow star-shaped flowers in flat clusters cover the glossy dark green scalloped succulent foliage from June through July. After flowering, the spent clusters develop ornamental reddish seed heads that persist through fall, while the foliage turns bronze-red — creating a three-season display (summer gold flowers, fall red-bronze foliage). The glossy, dark green scalloped spoon-shaped leaves are larger and more visually substantial than the tiny-leaved creeping sedums, giving this a bolder foliage texture. More shade-tolerant than most sedums — the Kamchatka origin means this grows in partly shaded conditions that thin most stonecrops. Semi-evergreen in mild winters. Deer avoid the succulent foliage.
Native Range
Sedum kamtschaticum is native to eastern Russia (Kamchatka Peninsula), China, Korea, and Japan.Suggested Uses
Used as a ground cover, in rock gardens, green roofs, and along edges. Cold-hardy to zone 3 — more cold-tolerant than most creeping sedums. The three-season display (yellow flowers, green summer foliage, bronze-red fall) adds year-round value.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering in June and July, approximately 4 weeks. Bright golden-yellow flat clusters. Reddish seed heads follow in fall.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright golden-yellow, star-shaped, in flat clustersFoliage Description
Dark green, glossy, scalloped, spoon-shaped, succulentGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Site in full sun to partial shade. Any well-drained soil. Tolerates more shade and heavier soil than most sedums. Hardy to zone 3. No maintenance needed.Pruning
No pruning needed. The reddish seed heads and bronze fall foliage are ornamental — leave standing.Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons