The sun is shining here on the Kent and Sussex coast, and it’s the perfect time to highlight one of our favourite plants, Sedum! Loved for its versatility, resilience, and ever-changing colour, this hardy succulent is one to remember.  

What is Sedum?

Sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, refers to a large group of succulent perennials known for their low-growing clusters of textural leaves and flowers. Most varieties have thick, fleshy, water-retentive leaves, and their flowers typically bloom from early summer into autumn, depending on the species. Sedums can be bought as sedum turf, small individual plants, clumping varieties, or larger specimens, making them a versatile choice for your planting scheme.

We do we Love it?

At Ivy and Whyte, we celebrate plants that thrive around the UK south coast. Sedum is one of our go to plants, because it is resilient, looks amazing and you can use it in so many creative ways. It offers brilliant low growing interest that draws your eye to every corner of the garden and is exceptionally drought-tolerant and low maintenance. It is also a favourite among bees and butterflies! 

Sedum boasts a wide variety of colour, ranging from deep burgundy to lime green and silvery tones. Sedum is used in most of our designs and we always manage to find a variety that compliments our overall planting scheme. 

Where do we use it?

We commonly use sedum turf in our designs. It’s ideal for softening transitions between materials, creating natural edging, or serving as an alternative to grass in selected areas. Sedum turf also works beautifully on green roofs, where it helps to soften hard surfaces, and can be used decoratively in pots and containers, spilling over the edges.

Larger varieties of sedum are also favourites of ours, as their bold, upright structure adds a sculptural element to contrast with more delicate looking plants. 

Our Favourite Types:

Sedum turf  (mixed varieties)

White stonecrop

Sedum spurium

Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Iceberg’

Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Stardust’

Hylotelephium ‘Purple Emperor’

Hylotelephium ‘Chocolate Cherry’

Top Sedum Tips!

Achilleas are ideal for borders, adding soft, feathery texture that beautifully contrasts with more structured plants. Achillea’s upright and clustered growth helps create structure and height, making your garden look full and dynamic. They also come in a huge variety of colours, from cool pinks and purples to warming oranges, red and yellows.