Sedum oreganum ssp tenue
OREGON STONECROP
syn. Sedum oreganum ssp. oreganum
Family: Crassulaceae
Pronounced: SEE-dum or-reh-GAH-num

Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington state.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 2-9, 14-24.
USDA zones: 6 - 10.
Mature size:
Height: 4 inches (10 cm).
Width: indefinite.
Flowering period:
Summer.
Flowering attributes:
Numerous yellow flowers united on top of flowering stems.
Leaf attributes:
Succulent, fleshy green leaves that turn bronze to red colors in full sun.
Growth habit:
Creeping.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Dry, rocky, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Short stem pieces root readily in garden soil.
Divide in spring.
Rainy Side Notes


Sedum oreganum ssp tenue is a tremendous little native sedum to grow in the garden. The foliage arranged in small rosettes, looks like tiny, green rose blossoms that grow close to the ground. Not long ago, I planted one 4-inch pot of this delightful succulent on top of my basalt rock wall. It happily colonized an area when I plucked out rosettes and placed them around a space surrounding a ceramic water bowl.
A couple of rosettes went into a small black pot planted in the garden in front of the bowl. Behind the container is the grass Uncinia 'Belinda’s Find', which gives a striking foliar contrast, enhancing both plants' bronze, red, and rust hues.
The difference between the species Sedum oreganum and this subspecies tenue is subtle. I notice that the subspecies have smaller rosettes and the stems are more slender than the straight species. Other than that, in my garden, they grow the same and have the exact requirements of well-drained soil, and partial shade to full sun conditions.
I never fertilize the native stonecrops; however, if you want to feed them, use a low nitrogen fertilizer. Rich soil tends to make the succulent leaves too soft. The plants adapted to our winter wet/dry summer seasons; however, you can occasionally irrigate in the summer. Be sure you give the plants good draining soil.
One of my sources says the subspecies tenue is restricted to Washington State, but the USDA database shows it residing in British Columbia as well as in Oregon. The Makahs of the northernmost section of Washington called these sedums, sedums, tcatca’‘kik — which means water plant.


Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
More native sedums | Other sedums.

Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton
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