An Ignored Group of Crops

By Marilyn Homewood, Grasp Gardener

Now that the recent, humid days of summer season are upon us, it’s time to respect a few of the unsung heroes of the backyard such because the low rising sedums (aka stonecrops) and hens and chicks (Sempervivum). 

These are a big and various grouping of vegetation identified for his or her thick, fleshy engorged components that retain water making them extremely drought resistant.  They’re discovered on each continent however Antarctica and certain in all of our gardens.  Give them sunshine with good drainage and they’ll reward you for years to come back.

Typically, these vegetation are used as groundcovers enjoying second fiddle to our bigger, showier specimens or artfully positioned in rock gardens.  Why not take into account bringing them out to centerstage? Their diverse texture and hues can create a novel look. The drought resistant nature of the vegetation is on development with our warming local weather. 

Some years in the past, I redid a south going through mattress solely in sedums and hens and chicks. The earlier occupants had been failing to satisfy the challenges of the local weather. It has confirmed to be a little bit of trial and error with some varieties working properly, some being too aggressive necessitating their removing and a few succumbing to winter kill.  The mattress continues to be a piece in progress.

Initially, I did lose vegetation to rot as the present soil was wealthy and lined with cedar bark mulch.  After amending with a poorer high quality of soil scavenged from the shoulder of my street in addition to implementing the usage of HPB (excessive efficiency bedding) as mulch, the vegetation took off. HPB is a sort of washed, crushed, angular limestone chip that doesn’t include fines or mud, sometimes round 1/4 inch in dimension.  It’s generally used as a base materials for patios, walkways, and different landscaping initiatives. It’s identified for its wonderful drainage properties and makes a stunning stone mulch.  Because the vegetation grew, they expanded fortunately into the HPB.

Different functions for these vegetation embrace their use in containers.  I’m keen on planting up an outdated boot for placement on the porch stairs.  The succulents do properly and take little care.  On the finish of the season, vegetation are tucked again into backyard to overwinter.

Extra lately, specialised firms have been producing “sedum mats” to be used on inexperienced roofs and on panorama functions.  Sedum mats are a mix of hardy sedum species grown in 1.5 inch thick soil-less media on a biodegradable coconut fibre base.  These mats are minimize and rolled up like sod and are laid out in a similar way to supply a steady inexperienced masking.  They’ll tolerate gentle foot visitors and are sometimes utilized in areas the place typical backyard beds would show tough (rocky areas with little soil depth, accents round hardscaping, boulevards). 

Sedums and sempervivum are the final word in low upkeep, drought tolerant vegetation which might be visually hanging and distinctive. There are far too many types to record right here however some that I’ve discovered enticing, hardy and would advocate rising are Sunsparkler Firecracker, Sunsparkler Lime Zinger, Angelina, Dragons Blood, Voodoo and John Creech.  Some nurseries specialise in these species and have a big choice to select from. No want to fret about planting these within the warmth or having to child them alongside.  I’ve some empty spots to fill so I believe I can be heading out to my favourite nursery close to Bobcaygeon to accumulate a couple of new varieties.

And because of Grasp Gardener MJ Pilgrim for the superior photograph of her hens and chicks within the classic iron.