A GARDEN OF SEDUMS

You may find other varieties at your local nurseries. Be aware that these plants are frequently misidentified. If this doesn't bother you too much, then buy what attracts you. If you like to have all the proper names, refer to one of the mailorder nurseries listed below.

Cultivation and Propagation

Sedums grow best in sunny spots with good draining soil. A few varieties tolerate the shade. One of the advantages of this plant is their ease of propagation. Practically every leaf or short piece of stem will take root where it touches the ground. It's not uncommon to find a prostrate stem with roots appearing at several points. Just cut between the root groups and you will have several more plants to spread through your garden. I seldom water these plants. If they begin to have dry looking leaves, and it has not rained for a few weeks, give them a good soaking.

These plants are excellent "in the ground", as container plants, or as trough plants. Alpine gardeners enjoy sedums for their ease of cultivation and long flowering season. With around 800 species available, it would be easy to become addiccted to growing this plant family. If you do, I encourage you to read last week's book review of Sedum: Cultivated Stonecrops.

Sedums are readily available at local nurseries and I strongly encourage you to grow these species first. If you enjoy them as much as I do, then you may want to get catalogs from these nurseries which sell Sedums mailorder:

Strongs Alpine Succulents -- Bluestone Perennials (I've purchased Sedums from this nursery) -- Squaw Mountain Gardens (Catalog is $2; 36212 S. E. Squaw Mtn. Rd., Estacada, OR 97023 (email: HenNChicks@aol.com.)

Summary

I believe Sedums make ideal plants for a low care garden. If you can't get around adequately to take care of it, they are very tough, enduring plants. They also spread easily so that soon you will have the soil so shaded that few, if any, weeds grow. This makes it an ideal "enabling garden." Until next week, good gardening to you!

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