Pink Stonecrop
Phedimus spurius ‘John Creech’Pink Stonecrop is a low, creeping succulent that forms a dense mat of small, scalloped green leaves only 2–3 inches tall. Its fleshy stems spread along the ground and root where they touch the soil, so each plant knits into a tight carpet about 10–12 inches wide. The rounded leaves cluster at the stem tips, giving a planting a fine, pebbled texture that stays attractive well before and after bloom.
In late summer, clusters of small, star-shaped pink flowers rise just above the foliage and carry color into early fall, when many groundcovers have finished. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms. Part of the foliage may persist through milder winters. This sedum suits rock gardens, the front of a border, edging along walks, pockets in stone walls and sunny banks, and it spills neatly over the rims of containers and troughs.
Pink Stonecrop grows best in full sun and tolerates light shade for part of the day. It prefers sandy, gravelly or average soil with sharp drainage and declines where water stands after rain. Once established, it is drought tolerant and handles poor, shallow or rocky soil, which makes it useful for hot, dry spots where lawn and many perennials struggle. Deer and rabbits generally leave it alone. A few simple steps keep it looking its best.
Care Instructions:
Planting: Plant in spring or early fall in a sunny spot, setting the crown at soil level and firming the soil around the shallow roots.
Soil: Prefers lean, sandy or gravelly soil with excellent drainage; work grit or coarse sand into heavy soil before planting.
Watering: Water regularly for the first few weeks after planting, then only during long dry spells, since soggy soil is the most common cause of rot.
Fertilizing: Rarely needs fertilizer; rich feeding produces soft, floppy stems, so a light spring application in very poor soil is plenty.
Pruning: Shear off spent flower stems after bloom for a tidier mat, and trim stems that creep beyond their intended area.
Spacing: Space plants approximately 8–12 inches apart; the mats will meet and form a continuous groundcover.
Maintenance: Pull weeds until the mat fills in, and replant bare patches in spring with stem pieces, which root easily.
Gardeners choose Pink Stonecrop for small spaces that need dependable cover with very little attention. It performs best in sunny rock gardens, along the edges of walks and patios, and on dry slopes where its rooting stems help hold the soil. Paired with taller sedums, ornamental grasses or other drought-tolerant perennials, it fills the ground layer and adds a late-season flush of pink.
Landscape Solutions:
- Covers hot, dry, sunny ground where turf and many perennials fail, with little watering once established.
- Its creeping stems root as they spread, helping hold soil on sunny banks and slopes prone to erosion.
- Deer and rabbit tolerance makes it a dependable edging plant in areas with heavy browsing.
- Pink late-summer flowers feed bees and butterflies after many groundcovers have finished blooming.
- Its low height suits rock gardens, stone wall pockets, and the rims of containers and troughs.
