Go Back Sedum Purple Emperor

Posted: May 7, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Sedum 'Purple Emperor'
    Butterfly IconRock Garden Icon

    Plant Type: Perennials

    'Purple Emperor' has very dark reddish-purple foliage and a semi-upright habit. It captures your attention from the moment the dusky purple leaves emerge in spring, and forms a solid substantial mass of foliage. In late summer, dusty rose flowers appear in large clusters atop the bright reddish-purple stems. These blossoms age to bronze in the fall.Tall, upright sedums form substantial clumps of foliage which can be substituted for shrubs in the landscape. Their stout, sturdy stems support the massive flower heads which develop in summer and burst into bloom in fall. If left standing, they provide winter interest and food for birds.

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    Growing & Maintenance Tips:

    Sedum is one of the most popular perennials grown in American gardens because it is very easy to grow and hardy in most areas of the country. Because of its thick, succulent leaves which can store water, sedum is drought tolerant. It should be sited in average to poor soil that is well-drained. Plants grown in rich soil tend to be lanky and open. Most varieties should be grown in full sun to light shade. The lower growing types, however, will survive in partial shade. Divide sedum every 3-4 years to maintain its compact growth habit. Older plants tend to split in the center if they have not been divided. Pinching the taller varieties back by half in early summer will also help prevent them from splitting. This plant is not usually bothered by pests or diseases. The seed heads of the taller varieties provide excellent winter interest and food for birds. Remove them in spring when the new growth begins to show.

    Flower Color

    Dusty rose

    Foliage Color

    Dark reddish-purple

    Plant Spread

    12 in.

    Good Companions

    Coneflower-Purple (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis-Threadleaf (Coreopsis verticillata), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Grass-Ornamental (Pennisetum alopecuroides), Stonecrop-Blue Spruce (Sedum repestre), Yarrow (Achillea)

    Plant Height

    16 in.

    Scape Height

    —

    Hardness Zone

    3-9

    Soil Moisture

    Low water needs, Average water needs

    Characteristics & Attributes

    Attributes

    Drought Tolerant, Cut flower or foliage, Border, Mass Plant, Dried Flower, Container, Salt Tolerant

    Bloom Time

    Early fall, Late summer

    Critter Resistance

    Rabbit Resistant

    Exposure

    Full sun

    Growth Rate

    Medium

    Seasonal Interests

    Late fall, Mid-winter, Mid-fall, Early winter, Early fall