1 Cape Blanco stonecrop
SEDUM SPATHULIFOLIUM, ZONES 5 TO 9
Cape Blanco's luminous, silver-blue foliage lights up any combination in the garden or container arrangements. This is a cultivar of a native species, offering up tiny yellow flowers in summer. As a ground cover, it'll stretch up to 2 feet.
Why we love it:
Truly a standout with its coloration, the shimmery leaves can play checkers in a landscape with black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens').
2 Petite Bicolor crassula
CRASSULA, ZONES 9 TO 11
With the tiniest of leaves, this charming option shines in a mixed container or on its own. Move it indoors in winter and grow as a houseplant where not hardy. Watch for bees and butterflies to stop by in droves during summer and early fall when star-shaped pink flowers appear.
Why we love it:
Often referred to as Little Missy sedum, this pick's leaves are edged in cream and flushed pink.
WARM AND DRY Like other succulents, sedums thrive in poor soil and can even withstand drought once established. For most, the preferred growing conditions are gravelly, well-draining soil in full sun. Plant where rain or moisture won't puddle.
3 Weihenstephaner Gold orange stonecrop
PHEDIMUS KAMTSCHATICUM VAR. FLORIFERUM, ZONES 3 TO 8
This plant sports 6-inch-tall olive green foliage that beautifully complements its pink stems and wildlifefriendly yellow flowers. Its trailing habit, up to 16 inches, makes it perfect to use in hanging baskets or as a ground cover. It also tolerates deer and drought.
Why we love it: Abundant blooms appear from June to August, then deliver a bonus of tiny reddish fruit.
4 Evergreen orpine
This story is from the August/September 2023 edition of Birds & Blooms.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August/September 2023 edition of Birds & Blooms.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Clever Cowbirds
Learn more about these birds that are infamous for letting others raise their young
Ask the Experts
Pros offer spring plant care tips and tough IDs
Rustic diy Birdhouse
Whether you're hardcore handy or an everyonce-in-a-while crafty person, you probably have a small pile of scrap wood handy. Grab your tools and turn your extra materials into any house wren's dream nest box.
THE LATEST IN Lilacs
Learn about updated varieties of this timeless classic and how to take care of them
Meet the ORIOLES
GET TO KNOW eight TYPES SEEN THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND WHAT MAKES EACH ONE STAND OUT
CBD FOR YOUR PAIN
Everyone feels the hurt as you age, but CBD can help you deal with it
Welcome, New Blooms
Update your yard with 2024's freshest florals
Western Blues
Beckon these regional bluebirds to your yard with nest boxes and mealworms
Incredible Eggs
Fun facts about these tough yet fragile wonders
Life Well Lived
Surprising facts about bird life spans