If I had to choose just two plants for my garden forever, I would pick Lavender and Sedum "Autumn Joy".Practically indestructible, this perennial is perfect for the haphazard attention I pay to my garden.
Here's a few reasons I love this plant:
Hardiness:
- Cold hardy
- Deer Resistant
- Highly drought tolerant
- Easy to grow
- Full to sun to part shade
- Easily propagated by rooting cuttings
- Bugs and slugs don't seem to bother it
Benefits:
- Attractive green to blue green foliage
- Slow to mature flower heads have interest even when immature, gradually deepening in color through the summer into fall.
- Good cut flower
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Dried flower stalks may be of some interest in winter
- Combines well with other plants in the border.
Drawbacks:
- May get spindly if grown in deep shade
- Needs division every 2-3 years
- Large clumps may need some support. I often tuck a few large rocks around the edges, or use farm artifacts like the end of an old pitchfork.
- Spent stalks may become unsightly after a freeze and need removal. New growth will appear at the base soon.
Spring into fall photos below.
Spring into Early Summer
Flower Heads Form Mid Summer
First Blush of Color, August
September Color Varies from Pale Pink to Red
Sedum, Hydrangea, Purple Perennial Aster, Anemone, Bay Laurel
Sedum, Lavender, Thai Basil, Fennel (flowers and leaves) Bay Laurel
I put a few stems in one year and they rooted. It's been happy in this copper bowl for years.
Beautiful arrangements with the sedum! I never thought of using them in my arrangements before! Love the one with the fennel and basil. I've used those with my long stemmed marigolds and they are stunning too! Great Blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I learned that from my daughter, who often uses them while they are still green as a contrast to brighter flowers. I have not considered growing long stemmed marigolds as a cutting flower. I should try that next year.
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