Species stonecrop
Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium) ground cover with green leaves or pink and purple flowers

stonecrop

Hylotelephium telephium 'Matrona'

Hylotelephium telephium 'Matrona' is a plant species that produces vibrant reddish-purple flowers in summer. It’s a succulent, drought-tolerant plant with fleshy leaves and stems. A matrona variety, it is a taller and more upright form of the common stonecrop. Perfect for rock gardens, sloped beds or Xeric gardens, its foliage has maroon tints in winter as well. Compact and low-maintenance, it requires full sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth. Its blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators and cut flowers can be used for table decorations.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Pastel pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,purple

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium 'Matrona') is a drought-tolerant succulent, so it does not require frequent watering. The best practice is to water infrequently, as soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It is best to check the soil moisture before watering to ensure that it is actually in need of water. A good way to do this is to stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil; if it is damp, wait a few days and then check again. In the summertime, water Stonecrop once every 5-7 days, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. In the winter, water every 2-3 weeks. Avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.

sunlight

Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium 'Matrona') is native to central and eastern Europe. This low-growing perennial prefers full sun, meaning it should be planted in a spot that receives 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Some late afternoon shade is beneficial as it can help protect the plant from heat. Prolonged periods of direct sun can cause the leaves to scorch if they don’t get enough water to keep the soil moist. In climates with hot summers, such as the Mediterranean or Southwest, stonecrop can benefit from some afternoon shade.

pruning

Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium 'Matrona') is a low-maintenance succulent perennial plant with beautiful foliage and flowers. Stonecrop should be pruned between mid-spring to early summer to keep its shape and improve blooming. To begin, remove any dead or overgrown stems and cut back the stems that have flower heads that have finished blooming. Remove a third of each stem to help promote new growth and flowering. Cut stems back to the point right above the highest node that has 2 leaves or an emerging flower bud. Stonecrop will need additional pruning in late summer or early autumn to ensure that the plant is not getting too tall or bushy. Cut the stems back by roughly a third, making sure to leave at least 2 leaves or 1 flower bud intact on each stem. Overall, the amount and timing of pruning will depend on how quickly the plant is growing and the desired shape and size of the plant. Keep an eye on the plant throughout the year and prune accordingly for optimum growth and flowering.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Stonecrop typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Stonecrop typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map