Sedum, the Fascinating Stonecrop...in Bloom

by Drought Smart Plants

Growing Sedum for many years, I was amazed to find that I didn't really know this plant at all. There are lots of different kinds and forms, ranging from tiny groundcovers perfect for miniature gardens, all the way up to large garden perennials.
The astonishing part is realizing that the flowers of these cold hardy succulents are much more intricate than I first thought. Taking close up pictures of them reveals their incredible beauty;

sedum the fascinating stonecrop in bloom, flowers, gardening, perennials, succulents, All the parts are seen close up in this picture tiny stripes on each petal lead the pollinating insects to the mother lode of nectar

All the parts are seen close up in this picture; tiny stripes on each petal lead the pollinating insects to the mother lode of nectar.

sedum the fascinating stonecrop in bloom, flowers, gardening, perennials, succulents, Sedum lydium lives up to her name it translates as beautiful in Latin

Sedum lydium lives up to her name - it translates as 'beautiful' in Latin.

sedum the fascinating stonecrop in bloom, flowers, gardening, perennials, succulents, Sedum obtusifolium is not a common type of stonecrop It s rather slow growing but makes up for it when the blooms finally open

Sedum obtusifolium is not a common type of stonecrop. It's rather slow growing, but makes up for it when the blooms finally open.

sedum the fascinating stonecrop in bloom, flowers, gardening, perennials, succulents, Sedum dasyphyllum is one of the tiniest species each flower is only a couple of millimeters across

Sedum dasyphyllum is one of the tiniest species - each flower is only a couple of millimeters across.

sedum the fascinating stonecrop in bloom, flowers, gardening, perennials, succulents, The flowers of the taller border Sedum are no less spectacular

The flowers of the taller border Sedum are no less spectacular.

sedum the fascinating stonecrop in bloom, flowers, gardening, perennials, succulents, Native bees flock to the blooms of Sedum spurium varieties these will open in sequence from early June right through to August depending on the type

Native bees flock to the blooms of Sedum spurium varieties; these will open in sequence from early June right through to August, depending on the type.

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3 of 34 comments

CC on Mar 11, 2014
I am a crafter...by no means a gardener, other than a few house plants and my hanging baskets I make every summer. I know, quite impressive hugh? I really don't understand the whole zone thing. I have books that say what type of flowers can be planted and what zones, but the books don't tell me where the different zones are located. Can anyone please tell me if they know what zone pittsburgh, Pennsylvania would be considered. That would be western Pennsylvania. I'm sure this is probably a really stupid question for you seasoned gardeners, but I seriously cannot locate this information.

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CC on Mar 11, 2014
I just looked at the map that Drought Smart Plants posted, but still don't understand it. Does it mean Pittsburgh is Zone 6a &b?

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- Drought Smart Plants on Mar 11, 2014
  @CC You could also do a web search for it, using the phrase; what planting zone is Pittsburgh in. There is always going to be some variation because of climate change, but that will give you a guideline of what kinds of plants will survive for you.
  
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