Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum' is a colorful low growing stonecrop valued for its scalloped green leaves edged in cream and flushed with pink. Bright yellow star shaped flowers bloom in early summer, contrasting beautifully against variegated foliage.
Height & Spread: 4 - 6 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Early to midsummer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, sandy or rocky soils
Watering Needs: Low; very drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: High
Native Status
Not native to North America. This cultivar is derived from a species native to northern Asia and is widely cultivated for ornamental use in rock and alpine gardens.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Attracts small butterflies like Skippers and Spring Azure with its bright flat flower clusters in early summer.
Bees
- Visited by native bees and honeybees seeking nectar from the vivid yellow blooms.
Hummingbirds
- Rarely visited by hummingbirds, but contributes to overall insect activity in the garden ecosystem.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 8 - 12 in apart to promote dense matting and continuous coverage in groundcover applications.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for rock gardens, edging, green roofs, slopes, and containers where its foliage color and texture can be appreciated up close.
Companion Plants
- Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) - A fragrant, mat forming herb with soft purple blooms that thrives in the same dry, sunny locations as sedum.
- Sempervivum tectorum (Hens and Chicks) - Succulent rosettes complement the low spreading habit of sedum while adding structural contrast.
- Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) - Aromatic foliage and vertical purple spires provide height and seasonal fragrance.
- Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara Daisy) - Adds airy, daisy like flowers and fine foliage that weave through sedum's compact form.
- Artemisia 'Silver Mound' - Silvery, fern like mounds add soft texture and visual cooling effect to hot, dry plantings.