Evolution™ Emerald Ice Sedum

The classic Autumn Joy Sedum has been around for a long time, and is deservedly popular. But it doesn’t always suit what you want. For one thing, it grows quite large, and older plants in particular tend to flop open, looking unsightly. That’s why we think the new Evolution™ Emerald Ice Sedum is going to be a big hit. It was carefully bred and selected to stay compact and not split open, and it is just a bit more than a foot tall and wide – the perfect size for smaller gardens, rock gardens and growing in planters. It grows vigorously but stays compact, and makes a lovely mound of emerald green foliage, with thick, succulent leaves. In warmer zones it is evergreen too. In summer large flower heads develop at the top of each stem. These are deep pink at first, gradually turning red as they turn into seeds, and staying bold and attractive well into the winter months. Super tough and both heat and humidity resistant, it’s a fabulous, low-maintenance choice in every zone, withstanding cold winters and also intense heat, strong sunlight and humidity too. Sedums have indeed evolved into a new generation of beauty – get some in your garden.

Plant the Evolution™ Emerald Ice Sedum in full sun – it doesn’t enjoy shade at all, even if the sun is blazing hot in your garden. It grows best in well-drained to dry soils, and is a great choice for dry, sandy, gravel and rocky soils. Avoid wet soil, especially in winter. It is very drought tolerant, almost from the moment you plant it, and thrives in the hottest and driest places. Deer and rabbits won’t eat it, and it almost certainly will stay free of pests or diseases – wet soil is its only enemy. Trim back close to the ground when the stems die, which can be in fall, or through the winter, or perhaps not at all if you are in a hot zone. It is hardy all the way from zone 4 through zone 9, and a great choice for the southwest. A long-lived, reliable and easy plant for all those hot, dry places where ‘nothing will grow’.