Great Plant Pick: Rhodiola pachyclados, Afghani sedum

Published 1:30 am Saturday, January 19, 2019

What: Rhodiola pachyclados is an excellent groundcover plant, particularly for hot, dry sites with poor soil. This variety of Afghani sedum forms a flat, dense mound of glossy blue-green leaves. Clusters of large white flowers appear in summer and then again in fall. It is well suited for the rock garden or edging in a dry border, and also is a good choice for containers. Plus, it makes a good companion plant for Eryngium amethystinum “Sapphire Blue.”

Where: This sedum relative is best in full sun in well-drained or sandy soils.

Size: The perennial grows to be 6 inches tall and 1 foot wide when mature.

Care: It is drought tolerant once established. It does not like competition. Watch to make sure neighboring plants do not crowd it out.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks