Autumn Joy sedum is a garden staple, and for good reason. Emerging in early spring, fleshy, green to grey-green leaves form a rosette of foliage, and soon expands on sturdy stems, growing about 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Flower heads begin to form in early to mid summer, looking something like little cauliflower, but soon the buds open to pale pink stars that progressively deepen in color, until they become a russet red in the fall. Use in perennial, shrub, or foundation borders, in parkstrips, with ornamental grasses. Attracts butterflies and bees. Flower heads persist well into winter.
As a group, sedums prefer well-drained soils, including sandy-loam, clay-loam, or rocky soils, as long as it is well drained. In nature, most sedums occur in light shade or partly sunny sites, while a few are also well-adapted to full sun situations. They can tolerate both drought conditions or more frequent watering, but the key is good drainage. Their xeric nature makes sedums popular for use in rock gardens, roof gardens, wall gardens, and living wreaths.