Sedum

Sedums of this type are fabulous perennials for any mixed border. The bees smother their flowers in late summer, and during autumn the flowerheads grow darker and browner in colour.

Sedum

It always puzzles me that these sedums in my garden always flop over. Yet I see pictures of them in perennial and grass gardens and they seem to stand perfectly upright! Perhaps I can blame the wind. I would really like to see these beautiful late perennials flowering properly - maybe they just have too much room to move in my garden!

Sedum Autumn Joy

Of course sedums are very easy to propagate, and just occasionally some of the varieties I grow are invaded by insects - usually aphids. I grow two variegated varieties which seem particularly susceptible in autumn. Luckily it's usually about the time I'm doing the pre-winter cut and trim.

Autumn Joy

The variety of perennial sedum which is best known has the name 'Autumn Joy'. I think I have this sedum growing by the doorway of my glass house. The flower heads change colour throughout the season, ending up a rich burnt rusty brown.

The glass house doorway may be a suitable place to be growing in the off season, but at flowering time the door is well and truly blocked - by sedum flowers and by attendant bees! Autumn Joy could well turn to Autumn Distress if I get stung...