Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco'
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STONECROP
Family: Crassulaceae
Pronounced: SEE-dum spath-ew-li-FOE-lee-um
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Pacific Northwest.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All.
USDA zones: 5-9.
Mature size:
Height: 4 inches (10 cm).
Width: 12 inches (30 cm).
Flowering period:
Summer.
Flowering attributes:
Star-shaped, yellow flowers in tight clusters.
Leaf attributes:
Rosette of fleshy green leaves covered with a silvery-white waxy powder, giving it a silvery appearance.
Growth habit:
Mat forming.
Light:
Full sun to light shade.
Soil:
Any type well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Short stem pieces root readily in garden soil. | Divide in spring.
Rainy Side Notes
There are so many handsome stonecrops in the nursery trade; it is often hard to choose just one. If I were to choose only one ground covering sedum, it would have to be our Oregon native, Sedum spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’ (pronounced: SEE-dum spath-ew-li-FOE-lee-um), one of the most well-known stonecrops in cultivation. Being a native makes it a perfect choice for our maritime climate. The handsome rosettes of fleshy green leaves are covered with a silvery-white waxy powder, its silvery appearance sets off basalt rock in perfect contrast. The yellow flowers are nice enough, but the foliage is so outstanding that I would rather not have the flowers detract from their wonderful silvery rosettes. As soon as the flowers fade, I prune out the flowering stems so the foliage comes to the forefront again.
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For beginner gardeners, this is a beautiful and easy ground cover to grow provided it is given well-drained soil. The sedum is drought tolerant and appears to be deer resistant; however, it is edible to the human species. You can use the succulent foliage in soups or even as a stir-fry. To serve this to your family or guests should get everyone talking about the strange new vegetable on the table; hopefully without an "Eww" comment.
If you choose to add a sedum species to your diet, try them in the morning before the CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) processing of CO2 builds acid content in the foliage. This process adds an acid/peppery taste that by late afternoon/evening might make the sedums unpalatable.
The Royal Horticultural Society bestowed our native sedum with the Award of Garden Merit. I hope to see this become a Great Plant Pick in the future. For beginner gardeners, this is a handsome and easy-to-grow ground cover.
I grow this little native in nooks and crannies along rock walls and edges of pavers (where there is little to no foot traffic). I appreciate it best cascading down my rock walls–the dark basalt stone shows off the silvery-gray succulent leaves, beautifully.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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