Mixed Stonecrop — 10" × 20" Groundcover Flat

Sedum spp.

Crassulaceae

• Full sun; most varieties tolerate light shade but become loose and floppy with reduced light
• 2"–6" tall; spreads indefinitely to form a mat; flat covers approximately 1.4 sq. ft. at planting density
• Drought Tolerance: Very high — one of the most drought-tolerant perennial available; thrives in poor, dry soils once established; excellent for unirrigated sites
• Most groundcover varieties are semi-evergreen to evergreen; foliage often bronzes attractively in winter
• Flower Color: Yellow, white, or pink depending on variety (May–September) 
• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract native bees, honey bees, and butterflies; late-blooming varieties provide critical late-season nectar; foliage provides overwintering habitat for beneficial insects

Sedum — commonly called stonecrop — is a large and diverse genus of succulent perennials in the family Crassulaceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere across Europe, Asia, and North America. Groundcover stonecrops are among the most adaptable and low-maintenance plants available for sunny, dry, or rocky landscapes. Their succulent leaves store water, enabling them to thrive in conditions that defeat conventional perennials: sharp-draining gravel, rocky outcrops, green roofs, dry slopes, hell strips, and spaces between pavers. They tolerate poor fertility, soil compaction, and extended drought once established, making them uniquely well suited to Spokane's semi-arid summer climate. The mixed flat will have 2-5 different sedums with different foliage textures, colors, and bloom times.

Despite their modest stature, stonecrops are meaningful pollinator plants, particularly for native bees and honey bees that harvest nectar and pollen from the abundant small, star-shaped flowers. The dense mats provide microhabitat — overwintering sites for beneficial insects and hunting ground for ground beetles and spiders that help control pest populations. 

The 10" × 20" mixed stonecrop flat is a fantastic option for xeriscape and low-water landscapes. At planting, the flat can be cut into sections and plugged directly into prepared, well-drained beds, or individual rosettes can be separated and spaced 6–12 inches apart for faster coverage. Sedum requires excellent drainage above all else — standing water, clay soils without amendment, or poorly ventilated sites will cause crown rot and failure. In Spokane's heavy clay areas, raising the planting bed by 4–6 inches with gritty, amended soil makes a significant difference. Common applications include rock gardens and dry-stack stone walls, hell strip and boulevard plantings, crevice gardens and stepping stone paths, green roofs and living wall panels, slope and erosion-control plantings on south- or west-facing exposures, and container combinations. For the border, groundcover stonecrops pair naturally with other xeric plants: Sempervivum (hens and chicks), Delosperma (hardy ice plant), Eriogonum umbellatum (sulfur flower buckwheat), Penstemon species, and ornamental grasses such as Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue). Minimal care is required once established — remove any dead or bleached portions in early spring to encourage fresh growth, and divide congested mats every three to four years to maintain vigor.