Culture
Best grown in evenly moist to dry, well-draining, average to poor fertility soils in full sun. Avoid heavy, clay soils with poor drainage. Use sand or small rocks to lighten soil texture. If container grown, allow the soil to dry between waterings. Hardy in USDA Zones 3-9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hylotelephium sieboldii, commonly called October daphne or Japanese stonecrop, is a succulent perennial native to riverside cliffs and rocky outcrops in Toyama Prefecture on the western coast of Japan as well as Shodoshima Island. There is also a disjucnt population in Hubei Province, China. Some taxonomists split this species into several varieties based on differences between these three populations. This plant is mostly known from cultivation and is grown in temperate regions around the world for its colorful foliage and showy flowers. Mature clumps will reach 0.75' tall and spread to fill a 1.5' area. The stems are procumbent to slightly ascending and can reach around 1' long. The round, fleshy leaves are held in whorls of three and can reach 0.75" wide. The leaves are blue-green in color and have slightly undulating, red-purple margins. The foliage tends to turn bright shades of red-purple at bloom time. Terminal clusters of small, pink, star shaped flowers bloom in fall. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. The clusters can reach up to 2.75" wide. Synonymous with Sedum sieboldii.
Genus name probably honor Telephus, King of Mysia and son of Hercules.
The specific epithet sieboldii honors Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866) a German botanist and physician who collected and studied the flora of Japan extensively.
The common name October daphne refers to both the appearance of the blooms and the bloom time. The common name Japanese stonecrop refers to the native habitat of this species.
Problems
Susceptible to root and crown rot in overly moist, waterlogged soils. Watch for slugs.
Uses
Group to create a small ground cover, or use as a specimen plant for border fronts, path edges, rock gardens, gravel gardens, alpine gardens, and cool greenhouses. Suitable for containers or hanging baskets where the trailing habit of this plant can be fully enjoyed.