Common Name: spoon-leaved stonecrop
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Crassulaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to July
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Ground Cover
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful, Evergreen
Tolerate: Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist to dry, sandy or coarse, very well-draining soil in full sun. Tolerant of light shade, dry soils, and drought. Foliage in full sun will take on reddish tones. Hardy in Zones 6-10.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum spathulifolium, commonly called broadleaf stonecrop, is a mat-forming, evergreen, succulent, herbaceous perennial native to the Pacific coast of North America from central California north to southern British Columbia. It is found on rocky or gravelly slopes, cliffs, and ledges. Mature plants will reach 4-8" tall and spread to fill a 1.5' or more area with a procumbent, creeping growth habit. The well-branched stems bear terminal rosettes of 0.75-1" long, spoon-shaped leaves with a powdery blue-grey glaucous coating. The leaves can take on a reddish tinge in full sun conditions. Upright, 2-3" wide flower clusters emerge from the clumps from late spring into summer. The small, yellow blooms are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators.
Genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the general growing habit of many of the sedums (they sit and sprawl over rocks).
The specific epithet spathulifolium means "spoon-shaped leaves" in reference to the shape of the leaves of this species.
The common name broadleaf stonecrop refers to the shape of the leaves of this species.
'Cape Blanco' is a compact selection of broadleaf stonecrop that features small rosettes of very glaucous, bluish-grey-green foliage. Mature clumps will reach up to 6" tall and spread to fill a 12" or more area.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems of note. Poorly drained, overly moist soils may lead to root rot.
Uses
Small-scale ground cover for rock gardens, seaside gardens, crevice gardens, or the tops of retaining walls. Suitable for containers.