Summer heat and dry conditions always take a toll on our mid- to late-summer gardens, but this year has been truly exceptional.Many perennials are scorching, turning yellow or just giving up altogether and going dormant.
So it’s interesting to walk through gardens now, and see which plants are still looking good and growing well despite the abuse. One plant that stands out from the rest is showy sedum.
Even novice gardeners usually are familiar with members of the sedum or stonecrop genus. Many of the low-growing sedums, one of the most common being Sedum spurium "Dragon's Blood", have long been staples in rock gardens or rock walls.
But since the 1990s, the taller showy sedums have become perennial garden staples. Showy sedums have 2- to 3-inch, fleshy leaves on 12- to 24-inch stems. Foliage color varies from bluish or gray-green to purple-maroon. Flowers are creamy white, pink, bronze or red. The flowers make good cut flowers and can be dried. They even can be allowed to dry on the plants and remain in the garden for winter interest.
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