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Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Stonecrop)

Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner

(Based on 13 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ SEE-dum

Common Name: Stonecrop Synonyms: 'Herbstfreude' Genus: Sedum

This plant is as dependable and adaptable as they come. Its flowers bloom from August into November; they open pink and mature to a copper befitting of autumn. It is 2 feet tall and wide, with succulent stems and leaves. 'Autumn Joy' looks great with ornamental grasses.
Noteworthy characteristics: The long-blooming flowers change from deep pink to copper. Attracts butterflies.
Care: Sedum prefers moderately fertile, moist soil in full sun, but can take it drier. 'Autumn Joy' can be tip pruned at 6 to 8 inches to shorten the plant, but this will also delay flowering.
Propagation: Take softwood cuttings or root leaves in early summer. Start seed of hardy species in fall. Divide in spring.
Problems: Fairly trouble free, but watch for mealybugs, scale insects, slugs, and snails, as well as bigger critters, including deer.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Growth Pace	Moderate Grower
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Medium Moisture
Maintenance	Low
Characteristics	Attracts Butterflies; Showy Flowers; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time	Early Fall; Fall; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color	Brown Flower; Pink Flower; Red Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Dried Flower
Style	Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest	Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Cacti and Succulents,Perennials

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posted by BombasticTurtle
11/14/2011
Region: Mountain West
Zone: 3

I live in Edmonton, Alberta; where we have very short summers! I planted the Autumn Joy Sedum in the May of 2005 and it has never failed me as a beginner in the garden, Grows nice and dense, the succulent leaves are full, well spread (upto three feet wide and as high), grow right down to the ground so you don't need any facer plants, full bodied right from spring to late fall, the blood red fall flowers are impressive and more so when they and everything else around it are covered in snow, pest and insect resistant, can tolerate standing water or drought periods and needs very little to no care. Bees love it! Easy to grow by even a novice if you are looking for little to no disappointing plants! Try them in groups of different kind or different cultivars and varieties ... they will surprise you each year!

posted by kylie45
6/29/2009
Region: Midwest
Zone: 5

Sedum "Autumn Joy" really is a joy. It looks great in perennial, cottage, stone, and succulent gardens. It is hard to kill, except slugs tend to like it during wet springs.When it gets big it might flop, so support it. Mine however, has been going strong for eight years.

posted by ashley12
4/17/2008
Region: Northeast
Zone: 5

Easy to grow. Never fails me.

posted by Laurie97351
4/8/2008
Region: Pacific Northwest
Zone: 8

I love this plant! It is a reliable bloomer, it attracts dozens of bees to every flower head and I can easily start many more plants from one purchase. The plant is very attractive even when not in bloom and I haven't noticed any pests on it, however, the deer will eat the new growth. I have added to my collection as many variations of this plant that I can find. I like the late season blooms when most of my other plants look a bit bedraggled from too much summer.

posted by pgcmg
4/8/2008
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Zone: 7

posted by suzygirl
3/28/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 5

Extremely hardy, however stems tend to flop over when in full bloom

posted by lamd
3/28/2008
Region: Lower Plains
Zone: 8

I really like how this plant grows throughout the spring and summer. It's exciting to see the flower heads develop. It always disappoints, however, when the flowers and stems droop and the color fades quickly to brown.

posted by NJP777
3/27/2008
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Zone: 6

Autumn Joy provides beauty and interest across all 4 seasons -- a rare bonus.

posted by MontanaRaven
3/27/2008
Region: Mountain West
Zone: 4

I fight with our urban deer over any of my sedums. Autumn Joy is a fantastic performer. I like to sheer the plant back in early summer to encourage tighter, more compact growth. That also seems to encourage slightly later blooming so it's still going strong when my late fall asters and Rudbeckia are blooming.

posted by heuchera
3/27/2008
Region: Southeast
Zone: 7

posted by Snapgragen
3/27/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 7

posted by cecemax
3/27/2008
Region: Southeast
Zone: 7

Excellent plant for drought conditions and hot/humid conditions too.

posted by Robinlee
3/27/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 4

Easy to grow, tough and drought resistant. Pleasant green flowers turn pink then rust. Flower spikes poke through deep winter snow.

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