Species stonecrop Guide
pink-brown flowers with burgundy stems and green leaves

stonecrop

Sedum 'Purple Emperor'

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

Dusky pinkish purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

purple,burgundy

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Once a week, water Stonecrop (Sedum 'Purple Emperor') thoroughly. Make sure the soil is evenly saturated, but avoid over-watering. The soil should be moist but not soggy. During the warmer months, if the weather is particularly dry, an extra watering may be necessary. Reduce watering in the winter months when growth is reduced.

sunlight

When it comes to sunlight, Sedum 'Purple Emperor' thrives in full sun to the partial shade, meaning 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day is sufficient for this species to flourish. It should be positioned in an area of the garden that gets plenty of direct sunlight for the majority of the day, but avoid areas that become excessively hot—particularly in the summer months. It's best to provide a mixture of full sun and partial shade during the day when caring for Stonecrop. Avoid planting it in totally shaded locations. Morning sun may be best, since the afternoon heat can be too intense for this species.

pruning

Stonecrops (Sedum 'Purple Emperor') should be pruned once or twice a year. Pruning should be done in early spring, just after the last frost and then again in late summer. With pruning in early spring, dead leaves and plant material will be removed, allowing for quicker growth and growth of new foliage in the upcoming season. As for the late summer pruning, this is when you will do much of your shaping of your Stonecrop, as well as removal of any of the spent blooms or those that are still flowering at this time. When pruning, make sure to leave some foliage behind so the plant remains healthy and strong. Be sure to also cut back some of the long stems and thin out the middle of the plant for proper air circulation.