Sedum cauticola Robustum - Stonecrop

Sedum cauticola 'Robustum' (synonym 'Ruby Glow') is a particularly colourful variety of sedum. This small, spreading perennial develops purple stems, and green-blue leaves that turn purple towards the end of the season. It produces beautiful corymbs of carmine pink flowers in late summer. Like many sedums, this one is an excellent plant for dry and poor, even chalky, soil. It can be used to decorate a rock garden, adorn the top of a wall, or be potted to flower on a patio.

Sedum cauticola 'Robustum' belongs to the Crassulaceae family, and is a horticultural selection derived from S. cauticola, native to Hokkaido Island in Japan. The plant forms a somewhat loose mat measuring approximately 15cm (6in) in height by 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) in width. Described as stoloniferous, this sedum produces underground suckers that emerge more than 10cm (4in) away from the main plant as white, thin shoots. The vegetation consists of more or less prostrate, fleshy stems that range from light purple to darker purple. These stems bear small, succulent, opposite glaucous leaves that turn purple in autumn due to the cold. The foliage may persist if the winter is mild. Flowering occurs in September-October. It is abundant and almost entirely covers the foliage. The inflorescences are like short stems of bulbs where a multitude of small, star-shaped, bright pink-red flowers are tightly packed, attracting pollinating insects. These dry inflorescences remain decorative for a long time. 

An ideal rock garden plant, Sedum 'Robustum' likes sun, and well-drained and poor soils. It is very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C (5°F) without any problems, as long as it is not in waterlogged soil during winter. Magnificent in a rock garden, it can be easily combined with other small sedums to create colourful cushion patchworks. It can also be paired with delospermas and basket-of-gold alyssums, for example. It also grows very well in pots.