• Blog
    • General Gardening
    • Gardening for Children
    • Gardening Videos
    • Insect Pests
    • Landscape Design
    • Trees
    • Vegetables & Fruits
    • Weeds
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Event Announcements
  • Gardening Videos
  • Resources
    • Western North Carolina Gardening Guide
    • Online Resources
      • Soil Testing Information for Home Gardeners
    • Speakers Bureau
  • Garden Helpline
    • Collecting Samples of Plants and Insects
  • The Learning Garden
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • How to Become an Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
    • The Association
    • Contact Us
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Sponsors
      • Sponsors: 2019 WNC Gardening Symposium
    • Donate
Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers of Buncombe County

sedums

Succulents: What’s Old is New, Again

April 12, 2019

Could your perennial garden use a little variety? Want to add some texture, color and shape to your container gardens? Are you tired of killing your houseplants? Succulents may be the answer!

These plants evolved more than 5 million years ago as the earth cooled and dried and plants’ adaptation to retain water in their leaves, stems—and even roots—became important for their survival. Succulents are excellent choices for dry garden spots, rocky outcroppings, stone paths, rock gardens, walls, and containers.

Succulents in the Garden

Most succulents prefer lean, well-drained soil and sun, sun, sun!  Given our recent rainy winters, place succulents in areas well away from soppy soil— they don’t like “wet feet.” To give your plants the best start possible, irrigate lightly for a week after planting, especially during hot summer months, cutting back gradually until you are watering only every two weeks.

Buncombe County includes areas from USDA hardiness zone 5b to 7a, so purchase hardy plants that will do well in these zones. The list of possible garden and container plants includes:

Delosperma nubigenum
  • Delosperma (ice plant). Drought and heat tolerant, these South African natives come in a rainbow of colors and bloom throughout the summer. Both Delosperma cooperi (Zones 6 to 10) and D. nubigenum (Zones 6 to 8) will prosper as groundcovers.
  • Hens and Chicks

    Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)

Orostachys malacophylla. An interesting hardy succulent with hen-and-chick-like characteristics. This trailing perennial is especially attractive in container plantings. It produces leaf rosettes that are more open, with fewer leaves, than the true “hen-and-chicks.”  Hardy from Zones 5 to 8.

Sempervivum tectorum. The traditional “hens and chicks,” these plants produce multiple offsets that create a textured foliage mat. They thrive in rock gardens, alongside gravel paths, and around stones, and are hardy from Zones 3 to 8.

  • Sedum. Creeping sedums (stonecrops) are well-suited to containers, stone walls, and rock gardens, while upright sedums do well in perennial beds and along borders. North Carolina is home to many native or naturalized sedum species, including the native low-growing Sedum ternatum, which prefers some shade and less acid soil—you may have seen it growing in the limestone soil at Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest.
  • Sedum ternatum_Fritz Flohr Reynolds_CC BY-SA 2.0_Flickr
    Sedum ternatum; a.k.a. woodland stonecrop

Other creeping sedums—sun-loving and hardy in all of Buncombe County—include:

  • Sedum acre (dark green foliage and delicate yellow flowers).
  • Sedums beneath conifers_JDeutsch_EMGV
    Sedums beneath conifers
  • Sedum brevifolium(pinkish white flowers)
  • Sedum sieboldii(red flowers)

Upright sedums suitable for mixed perennial borders include S. spectabile and S. telephium (note that these plants are now known as Hylotelephium spectabile and H. telephium, but usually still sold as sedums). Fabulous pollinator attractors, the best known of these, ‘Autumn Joy’, has pink flowers that turn red, then coppery in fall, while others have persistent pink or white flowers. All are hardy in our area. They pair well with dwarf asters, coneflowers, and goldenrod.

Sedum “Autumn Joy”

Succulents as houseplants

Echeveria

Many popular houseplants are succulents and are just the thing for those who forget to water!  Some Sedum varieties make good houseplants. Aloe, Agave, Echeveria, jade plant (Crassula argentea), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) are other succulents that will thrive indoors.

Succulents may be as old as time, but they couldn’t be more contemporary. With so many sizes, colors and textures available, there’s never been a better time to invite them into your home garden!

Article by Janet S. Moore, Buncombe County Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer.

Learn more at:

Succulents’ origins:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110503133050.htm

Sedums:

https://extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/extgardener-remarkable-and-versatile-sedums/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/sedum-spp/

Orostachys malacophylla:

https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/hens-chicks-8-7-09.aspx

Houseplants:

https://sustainability.ncsu.edu/blog/changeyourstate/easy-indoor-plants/

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Categories General Gardening, Houseplants Tags Delosperma, Hens and Chicks, Ice Plant, Orostachys, sedums, Sempervivum, succulents

Groundcovers Part III: Low Growers Under Six Inches

November 26, 2018

Low-growing groundcovers—those reaching no more than 6 inches in height—are ideal for difficult areas such as sunny slopes or shade, particularly under trees, where grass will not grow. Shorter groundcovers are especially useful in rock gardens, along pathways, and at the front of borders. Most low-growing groundcovers spread by rhizomes (rootlike structures under the ground) or stolons (above-ground runners). 

Sedums beneath conifers_JDeutsch_EMGV
Sedums beneath conifers

Planting and maintenance
In growing groundcovers, follow a few simple steps to ensure success:

  • Clear the area of weeds and grass before planting. Groundcovers are tough, once established, but competitors can easily overrun them when first planted.
  • Test your soil to determine if you need to add fertilizer or lime.
  • Weed regularly to keep gaps clear in the several years it takes most groundcovers to fill a space.
  • Water your new plantings regularly for the first year.
  • Divide your groundcovers to fill in any remaining gaps.

 Groundcover varieties
Choose groundcovers that fit your site. Pay attention to the plant species and growing requirements—light, moisture, frost hardiness—as well as other characteristics—evergreen or deciduous.  If flowering, consider the flower season, size, and color of the specific cultivars or varieties you pick.

Here are some native plants that provide attractive groundcovers for our area—including suggested spacing between individual plants to give some idea of the number of plants needed to fill a space:

  • Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) is a shade-loving pachysandra that will not become invasive. It has fragrant, bottle-brush type blooms in the spring and attractive mottling on its leaves. It is semi-evergreen in Western North Carolina and will tolerate drought and dense shade. Allegheny spurge does well under trees and on slopes if they are not too sunny. Plant 6 to 12 inches apart in moist, rich, acidic soil.
  • Appalachian barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) prefers partial shade. It has yellow flowers in the spring, grown mainly for its foliage—evergreen leaves that turn an attractive dark red or bronze in winter. It is a good choice for slopes that are not in full sun. It spreads by rhizomes and is easy to divide once established. Plant 16 inches apart; it will spread about 18 inches per plant.
  • Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) thrives in part-sun, part-shade settings. It has pretty yellow flowers in the spring and bright green, evergreen foliage. It makes an attractive border. Green-and-gold prefers moist, acidic, rich soils and appreciates consistent moisture with good drainage. Plant 18 inches apart.
Pachysandra procumbens_Elizabeth_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_NCSU
Allegheny spurge
Appalachian barren strawberry_Waldsteinia fragarioides_NCSU
Appalachian barren strawberry
Green and Gold_Chrysogonum virginianum_NCSU
Green and gold
  • Phloxes: Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) tolerates shade and moss phlox (Phlox subulata) loves sun. Many people call them both creeping phlox, in contrast to the tall garden phloxes. Phlox stolonifera is a woodland plant and prefers rich, moist, shady locations with good drainage. It can do well under trees, shady rock gardens, or in other shady, moist areas. Phlox subulata likes sun and good drainage, making it an excellent choice for sunny slopes. Its foliage is needle-like, distinguishing it from its cousin which has oval leaves. Both phloxes come in a variety of pastel colors as well as white. The recommended spacing between plants is 12 to 18 inches.
Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'_K M_CC BY 2.0_Flickr
Phlox stolonifera; a.k.a. creeping phlox
Phlox stolonifera_Chris_Kreussling_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_NCSU
Phlox stolonifera flower
Phlox subulata_Tanaka_CC BY 2.0_Flickr
Phlox subulata; a.k.a. moss phlox
Phlox subulata_Kingsbrae Garden_CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Phlox subulata flower
  • Sedums: There are many stonecrops (Sedums) that are useful as groundcovers. Low-growing sedums thrive in thin, poor soils and will grow on and around rocks. They are a good choice for rock gardens and walkways, planted in gaps or cracks, and in borders. Most readily available varieties are not native to our area, love sun, are drought tolerant, and do well on dry, hot slopes. Our native Sedum ternatum, known as wild or woodland stonecrop, prefers some shade, and has unusual white flowers in late spring to early summer. Space 8 inches apart.
Sedum acre_Natural England_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_NCSU
Sedum acre; a.k.a. gold-moss or biting stonecrop
Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'_Patrick Standish_CC BY 2.0_Flickr
Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’; a.k.a. crooked stonecrop
Sedum spurium_Ezequiel Coelho_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_Flickr
Sedum spurium; a.k.a. creeping stonecrop
Sedum ternatum_Fritz Flohr Reynolds_CC BY-SA 2.0_Flickr
Sedum ternatum; a.k.a. woodland stonecrop

Article written by Judy Deutsch, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer.

Learn more
Groundcovers: Planting and Care
by Home & Garden Information Center
Clemson Cooperative Extension

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Categories Landscape Design Tags Allegheny spurge, green and gold, groundcovers, Phlox, sedums, strawberry (barren)

NC Cooperative Extension; Empowering People, Providing Solutions

Blog posts written and published by Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers in Buncombe County.

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to our blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,716 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • Saturday Seminar: Pruning Tools Workshop—Tool Selection and Sharpening, February 18
  • Online Seminar: Fruit Trees for Home Gardens February 16
  • Dramatic Winter Damage? What Should I Do?
  • What’s THAT Evergreen? Can I grow it?
  • A Gardening Guide for Our Mountains: The Perfect Holiday Stocking Stuffer

Categories

  • Events
    • Extension in Buncombe County
    • Extension Master Gardener Plant Clinic
    • Lectures & Seminars
    • Plant Sales
    • School Garden Grants
  • Flowers
    • Bulbs
    • Perennials & Biennials
    • Roses
    • Wildflowers
  • Gardening for Children
  • Gardening Videos
  • General Gardening
    • Installation & Planting
    • Mulch
    • Native Plants
    • Propagation
    • Seasonal Chores
    • Soils & Fertilizers
  • Houseplants
  • Landscaping
    • Firewise Landscaping
    • Landscape Design
    • Site Conditions
    • Water Management
  • Lawns
  • Pest Management
    • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
    • Invasive Plants
    • Pesticides
    • Weeds
  • Plant Diseases
  • Plant Insects
    • Beneficial Insects
    • Insect Pests
    • Invasive Insects
  • Shrubs
  • Special Gardens
    • Container Gardens
    • Herb Gardens
    • Pollinator Gardens
    • Rain Gardens
    • Shade Gardens
  • Trees
  • Vegetables & Fruits
  • Wildlife

Contact Us

Buncombe County Extension Office
49 Mount Carmel Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Helpline 828-255-5522

Events

Keep up with our events by subscribing to the blog or checking our Events Calendar.

Explore the Archives

Back to Top

Copyright © 2023 Extension Master Gardeners of Buncombe County. Privacy Policy.