Stonecrop

Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre)

Reflexed Stonecrop, Jenny's Stonecrop, Pork-and-Beans

Full sun, dry to moderately dry, excellent drainage essential; tolerates rocky and sandy soils; pH 5.5–7.0; high heat and drought tolerance once established.

10–20 cm tall, spreading indefinitely by creeping stems; blooms June–July with yellow star-shaped flowers; spreads by detached stem segments rooting wherever they contact soil.

Propagation by stem cuttings is nearly effortless — a detached shoot laid on bare soil roots within weeks.

Native region: Not native to Tennessee; European species naturalized on rocky waste sites and disturbed ground across the eastern United States.

Among the most drought-tolerant groundcovers available for Middle Tennessee landscapes. Performs particularly well on slopes, rock walls, and gravel areas where soil moisture stays consistently low — conditions that kill most other groundcovers. In the heavy clay soils common around Columbia and Spring Hill, raised beds or gravel-amended planting pockets are necessary; wet clay in winter causes root and crown rot. The cultivar 'Angelina' with chartreuse-gold foliage turning orange in fall is widely used for textural contrast. No significant pest or disease problems under dry conditions. Overwatering or shade produces lanky, floppy growth; full sun and lean soil keep plants compact and tight.