Sedum reflexum is a hardy evergreen perennial species hailing from mountainous regions throughout North America and in some dry parts of South America. The plant is a member of the Crassulaceae family in the genus Hylotelephium, known as stonecrops.
The plant’s scientific name (Sedum) is Latin derived from the word, sedeo. This refers to the plant’s growth habit of sitting and sprawling over stones. Reflexum means “bent backward”, the alternate, rupestre, is a reference to rocks. Other common names include Blue Spruce sedum, Crooked Yellow Stonecrop, Stone Orpine, Prickmadam and Jenny’s Stonecrop. This succulent with a blue-gray foliage color can quickly reach a height of six or eight inches. Individual plants may spread as wide as two feet. The plant spreads rapidly forming a dense mat of bluish green leaves arranged on their stems much like spruce needles.
This drought-resistant plant requires very little water. Water deeply from below or at ground level only when the soil is dry.
Blue Sedum is easy to grow in full sun. It can tolerate some shade, but it greatly with prefers heat and sun.
Any soil pH level is acceptable, and the plant likes to be in well-draining ordinary or sandy soil. The spruce sedum does best in very gravelly unfertile soil. Rich soil produces floppy, weak growth.
Fertilizing is not necessary, but you can sprinkle a bit of granular fertilizer on the surface of the soil in the springtime if you wish.
These plants are super hardy and will pass the winter under snow and tolerate temperatures down to -30°F (-34°C).
