The plant widely known as the Atlantis Flower is the highly sought-after cultivar Sedum takesimense ‘Atlantis’, a distinctive form of stonecrop that has become a favorite among gardeners. This succulent perennial gained popularity after winning the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year award in 2019. Its appeal stems from its hardiness across a range of climates and its variegated foliage. The plant provides year-round textural interest, making it a reliable choice for many gardens.
Identifying the Atlantis Flower
Sedum takesimense ‘Atlantis’ is a low-growing, clumping succulent perennial that reaches a height of 4 to 6 inches, spreading 10 to 12 inches. The foliage consists of thick, fleshy, serrated leaves arranged in tight, whorled rosettes. Each leaf displays a striking variegation pattern, featuring a deep blue-green center framed by a wide, creamy yellow border. This color contrast makes the plant highly visible. In mid to late summer, the plant produces clusters of small, star-shaped yellow flowers held on short stems. As temperatures drop in the fall, the creamy margins of the leaves often develop a subtle pink blush.
Essential Care Requirements
Providing the right environment for the Atlantis Flower begins with light exposure, where it performs best in full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight each day. In regions experiencing intense, hot summer weather, the plant benefits from light afternoon shade to prevent scorching. Proper soil conditions are essential, requiring excellent drainage to prevent the roots from sitting in excessive moisture. Loose, loamy, sandy, or gravelly soil is ideal, as this mimics the well-drained conditions of its natural environment.
This stonecrop variety is adaptable and thrives in average to poor soil fertility, generally needing no supplemental fertilization. Overly rich soil or excessive feeding can lead to weak, leggy growth that compromises the plant’s compact form. While drought-tolerant once established, it performs best with regular watering during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out completely between applications. It is hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 9, tolerating both heat and freezing temperatures, and the foliage often remains semi-evergreen in milder climates.
Best Uses in Landscape Design
The compact, mat-forming nature of Sedum takesimense ‘Atlantis’ makes it an excellent candidate for a variety of garden applications where low maintenance is desired. Its dense foliage naturally lends itself to mass planting, creating an intriguing, variegated ground cover. Due to its preference for sharp drainage and its low stature, it is well-suited for installation in rock gardens and alpine troughs. The plant works well as a border edging, providing a clean line along walkways or garden beds.
The Atlantis Flower is often used in container gardening as a “filler” component to contrast with taller plants. Its mounding growth habit provides visual weight and color in patio pots. This is useful in colder zones where its hardiness allows it to remain outdoors through winter. This stonecrop also tolerates environmental salt, making it suitable for seaside gardens or planting near sidewalks that are salted in winter.