Guest Author - Connie Krochmal
Often gardeners are looking for ground hugging plants that can be planted between stepping stones. There are some succulents that are great for that purpose. In addition, these are suitable for gravel gardens.
Whatever kind of succulents you choose be sure the area is well drained. Low-lying, wetter areas are less suitable for most succulents
Two-row stonecrop (Sedum spurium)
Recommended for zones three through nine, this was originally native to the Caucasus area. A widely branching perennial, the two-row stonecrop grows to less than six inches in height.
With a creeping growth habit, the stems can eventually form dense mats. It can spread to two feet across.
Depending on the growing conditions, this may be either deciduous, semi-evergreen, or truly evergreen.
The tiny, toothed leaves are mostly egg-shaped. Less than in inch in length, they are arranged oppositely on the stems. During the winter, the foliage can turn bright red.
Beginning about June or so and extending to August, two-row stonecrop is covered with blooms that open in showy, dense clusters that reach two inches across. The individual flowers are ½ inch in diameter. These may be white, pink, or light red.
Several varieties or cultivars of the two-row stonecrop are available.
Bronze carpet two-row stonecrop has flowers that are pinkish-red. Its foliage is bronze.
Dragon’s Blood two-row stonecrop is known for its colorful bronze leaves. The blooms are deep red.
Red Carpet two-row stonecrop is named for the lovely bronze-red foliage. Its blooms are also red.
Tricolor two-row stonecrop is variegated with a mix of pink and cream mixed in with the green. The blossom are pale to deep pink.
Sedum spurium var. coccineuma variety has bronze or red highlights on the foliage. Its blooms are vivid red.
In America, this plant has escaped from cultivation and naturalized in parts of the Northeast where it is found in old fields, along roadsides, and in rocky and sandy places.
These plants can be grown easily from seeds and cuttings. They can also be divided.
Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre)
Only about two or three inches in height, the goldmoss stonecrop grows well in zones three through eight. These trailing plants are perfect for planting between stepping stones.
The tiny leaves, which resemble needles, are only ¼ inch long. These overlap and conceal the stem.
In June, the small yellow blossoms begin to open. There are only ½ inch in diameter. But, they occur in big clusters.
Several cultivars or varieties are available. Aureum has gold colors on the new growth. However, this will disappear as the stems and leaves reach maturity.
Elegans has hints of silver on the new growth. Majus is a variety with slightly larger leaves. Minus has very small leaves. As a matter of fact, everything about this plant is tiny. It is less than an inch tall.
Originally native to Europe and Asia, goldmoss stonecrops are grown from seeds and cuttings.
Once these plants are established between stepping stones, they require almost no attention. Growth will be lush if they are watered during prolonged dry periods.
After a period of several years, the plants may become overgrown so that they will need divided.
