Sedum, often called Stonecrop, is a broad category of succulent plants known for their toughness and diverse forms. These succulents store water in their fleshy leaves and stems, allowing them to tolerate dry conditions where many other perennials fail. Specific varieties display unique blue or blue-grey foliage, offering a desirable color contrast and texture in the garden while remaining low-maintenance.
Popular Blue Sedum Varieties and Descriptions
The blue-colored varieties of Sedum are predominantly low-growing, mat-forming succulents that provide dense, textured groundcover. One of the most popular is Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce,’ named for its distinctly needle-like, blue-green foliage resembling a spruce tree. This variety grows in a dense, mounding habit, typically reaching 6 to 8 inches high with a spread of 12 to 24 inches, and produces yellow flowers in the summer months.
A lower-growing option is Sedum hispanicum ‘Blue Carpet,’ which forms a silvery-gray to dusty blue mat, rarely exceeding 1 to 2 inches in height. The tiny, bead-like foliage takes on purplish or rose tones when the weather turns cooler, providing seasonal color interest. This cultivar is known for its quick spread, covering small, dry areas, and it blooms with small, pink-tinged white flowers in mid-summer.
Sedum dasyphyllum ‘Major’ features tiny, rounded, blue-green leaves that resemble miniature pearls or pebbles. This creeping succulent is highly compact, generally staying under 4 inches tall with a spread of about 12 inches, making it suited for small crevices. The foliage often develops subtle hints of purple under environmental stress, and it is topped by white, star-shaped flowers during the summer.
Sedum sieboldii, sometimes called October Daphne, has a trailing or arching habit, often spilling over edges. Its leaves are thicker and more circular than other blue varieties, presenting as a fleshy, blue-green color with a distinct rose or maroon edge. This perennial typically grows between 6 and 12 inches tall and is noted for its pink flowers that bloom late in the season, extending color into early fall.
Cultivating Blue Sedum: Light, Soil, and Water Needs
The blue coloration of these Sedum varieties is linked to a powdery, waxy coating on the leaves, known as a glaucous bloom or farina. Full, direct sunlight is necessary for the plant to produce this protective coating. This coating helps reflect intense light and minimize water loss, deepening the blue hue. Plants grown in partial shade often appear greener because the protective coating is less pronounced.
Proper soil composition is important for cultivating all Sedum, especially low-growing blue varieties, as they are highly susceptible to root rot in wet conditions. The soil must be lean and possess excellent drainage, mimicking the rocky, arid environments where stonecrops thrive. Native soil should be amended with inorganic materials such as coarse sand, grit, or perlite to achieve the necessary sharp drainage.
Avoid incorporating large amounts of organic material, such as compost or peat moss, which retain too much moisture. Once established, blue Sedum requires minimal supplemental water, benefiting from deep, infrequent watering only during drought conditions. Most blue types, including ‘Blue Spruce’ and ‘Blue Carpet,’ are cold tolerant, generally thriving across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.
Designing with Blue Sedum: Placement and Pairing
The unique blue and silvery tones of Sedum foliage make them useful design elements that can visually cool and contrast other plant colors. Their preference for sharp drainage makes them a natural fit for rock gardens, dry slopes, and retaining wall pockets, where water rapidly drains away. Trailing blue varieties are effective when planted at the edge of containers, allowing their foliage to spill over the sides.
The blue-grey color pairs well with rich, warm tones. Consider planting blue Sedum next to perennials with deep burgundy, red, or purple foliage, such as Heuchera, to maximize contrast. The blue can also be offset by the chartreuse yellow of plants like Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ or certain ornamental grasses.
Low-growing blue Sedum serves as a living mulch in dry areas, suppressing weed growth and reducing soil temperature. Their ability to tolerate minimal foot traffic makes some varieties, like ‘Blue Carpet,’ suitable for planting between stepping stones or in patio crevices. They help define edges and soften hardscape elements across many garden settings.