Blue stonecrops

Blue-leaved sedums or stonecrops are succulent perennials with grey-blue, glaucous green, slate or silvery leaves. Usually low-growing and spreading, they grow in sun in very well-drained, or even dry, soil. In rock gardens, on low walls or as edging, their foliage contrasts with yellow, white or pink flowers.

Sedum reflexum 'Blue Spruce' forms an evergreen carpet of fine blue-grey leaves, which take on pink and violet tints in autumn. Very low-growing, Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco' produces tiny silvery-grey rosettes, accompanied by sulphur-yellow flowers in spring. 'Lidakense' stands out with its blue leaves edged in red and its raspberry-pink flowers in late summer. More substantial, 'Dazzleberry' forms a grey-blue to slate-blue cushion, almost hidden beneath its deep pink flowerheads between August and October.

These blue-leaved stonecrops can be planted with houseleeks, which share their preference for sun and very well-drained soil; they develop architectural rosettes and offer changing colours. Aubrietas are also good companions, with their highly floriferous cushions in spring.
Our buying guide "Sedums or Stonecrops: find out how to choose them " will help you compare groundcover varieties and upright forms.