We Had Some Sedums Professionally Planted Last Summer And They…
Jayme Asked
We had some sedums professionally planted last summer and they were damaged by high winds/rain and actually broke the stem so the plant is lying sideways. What is the best way to care for these plants at this point?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Jayme: Sedums are low-maintenance, hardy perennials that provide late-season color to the garden. They will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and are drought-tolerant once established. Ideally they should be planted in a space where the soil is well-drained and they will receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight to be happy. They are succulents so less is better in terms of water. Taller varieties such as ‘Autumn Joy’ are good bloomers but as you have found out, they can become top heavy and easily broken or damaged by severe weather. At this point they make great cut flowers since the seedheads will dry on the stem. The flowers that have fallen over in your garden will not have any long-term effect on the overall health of the plant. As long as the roots are not damaged, new growth will occur and you will be able to enjoy your sedum year after year. Just prune back any damaged stems and dispose of them or use them as cut flowers. Leaving them on or near the plant will increase potential insect or disease problems so good sanitation practices are always a good idea. They are very tough plants so do not spend too much time worrying about them. I have no doubt they will be just fine. This is the most common problem we see with the taller sedums.
