Great Plant Pick: Sedum spurium ‘Tricolor,’ variegated two-row stonecrop

Published 1:30 am Saturday, January 4, 2020

What: Sedum spurium “Tricolor” has small, scalloped three-colored leaves — with green, creamy-white and pink — that form a weed-smothering groundcover that is just 4-inches tall. Small pink flowers that rise to 6-inches tall create a bright layer of color over the lush carpet of foliage in fall. The variegated two-row stone crop is a fine selection for spotting into rock walls and is also a great choice for modern-style compositions in spare geometric containers or grouped with other graphic succulents. This sedum is perfect for troughs and alpine gardens.

Where: This sedum is best grown in well-drained or sandy soil, but will tolerate clay if drainage is adequate. The best flowering is in full sun, but it will tolerate light shade and still look good.

Size: The succulent will grow to 6 inches tall and spread to a width of 2 feet when mature.

Care: Once established, “Tricolor” is drought tolerant. Cut this durable evergreen to the ground in the fall.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks