autumn joy succulent Autumn Joy Sedum

Fall is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy your garden. Experienced landscapers know how important it is to plan around the end of the growing season. After all, it's not so darn hot out, and you'll love having family and friends over for get-togethers.

One of the very best plants to use for end-of-season interest is definitely Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy', also known as Sedum 'Herbstfreude' and Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude'). You'll make a big statement with this dramatic perennial.

Now, between you and I... this is one of the easiest plants in the world to grow. One of the common names for this plant is "Stonecrop". Does that give you a big hint? Don't worry, it can be our secret how completely easy this plant is.

Autumn Joy is just the right name for this great variety. It's a super hardy succulent, with substantially thick, grayish-green leaves. This plant gives you a big presence with a clean, polished look.

The plant shoots emerge from the ground in spring in a nice formal rounded clump. Leaves emerge in early summer. The shoots elongate and by early July, form flat-topped flower bud clusters on the tips of each branch. The flowers open to a light pink and continue to darken as the season progresses. By late fall, those plate-like flower heads have turned a deep, dark garnet color.

Bees and butterflies, such as the Monarch, really love this plant, too. The large, flat flowers make perfect landing pads for them to land on and feast on the nectar. They'll "fill up" at this flower buffet, then continue on their long migration. Once the flowers open, there will rarely be a time when the butterflies aren't feasting on top of those flowers...not ever! It's one of nature's great shows.

Hardy perennial Sedums like Autumn Joy, also known as Herbstfreude Sedum, thrive throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 9 and handle sun, drought, heat, and chill!

Planting and Application:

This is one of the most exciting and hardy garden perennials that you can plant in your garden. That's why Autumn Joy has become one of Nature Hills' most popular perennials!

They make fantastic plants edging a formal flower bed or very informally added to a mixed border. But what they have really become is an amazing landscape plant with a solid presence year-round! Fill out a Rock Garden or xeric landscaping area where these plants really shine, like hell strips along the road, sidewalk, and driveway!

Let it take center stage, or use it as a colorful backdrop for other, smaller plants like ground covers. Pair them with other fall-blooming plants, such as Rudbeckias, Asters, and Ornamental Grasses in a fall garden.

For a short, seasonal display, simply pop the growing container directly into your ornamental pots. This makes an easy-peasy change out from your summer look right into an Autumn themed container.

Cut flowers can last for weeks in your flower arrangements. Just cut the sturdy stems down at any stage and they will work beautifully for you. Even the deep, dark dried flower stems are fantastic in dried arrangements or for use in your fall and winter pots or décor!

• Large, Dark Pink Flower Heads
• Succulent Thick Gray-Green Foliage
• Butterfly Magnet!
• Xeriscaping & Zone 1 Firescaping Plants
• Fall & Winter Interest
• Large Planters, Edging, Garden Accents & Pollinators

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Sedum like Autumn Joy needs to be planted in full sun in well-drained soil. This perennial will tolerate most soil types and is very drought resistant. It actually prefers drier soil! In fact, plants that are grown in rich, moist soils may produce heavy, weaker growth that flops as the flower heads develop. If this sounds like your soil, simply plan to snip back the new growth by a few inches. Do this as soon as your stems reach about a foot tall. Don't worry, they'll soon produce new flowers on the shortened stems, but the stems will be much sturdier for you.

Be sure to leave the stems and flowers on the plant standing, even after a frost comes. In the meantime, Autumn Joy Sedum is really wonderful in winter! The seed heads turn a dark brown color and remain rigid and erect to catch and sculpt the snow all winter long. You'll love this fantastic addition to your winter garden. It's easy enough to do a quick cleanup in early spring. Just cut the dried stems down to the ground.

• Sun-Loving Hardy Succulent
• Thrives in Almost Any Well-Drained Soil - Poor Soil Tolerant
• Regular Moisture At First - Drought Tolerant Once Established
• Prune Down Early Spring
• Low-Maintenance & Easy to Grow

Don't let another year go by without growing Autumn Joy Sedum for an amazing Fall Garden display. You'll adore these expertly grown perennials from Nature Hills. Order today and make your fall garden shine!