'Angelina' in Autumn

Chartreuse foliage means summer to me, even now that autumn has blown in. Today I spied that color on the succulent known as Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’. Sedum rupestre is Rocky Stonecrop, perfect for growing between and over rocks in the garden. Different varieties show off different colors, but it is the summery ‘Angelina’ that has chartreuse foliage in a near-neon green, a handsome foil for the reds and oranges that will cover many northern gardens shortly. As the season progresses further, even this chartreuse will begin to turn orange as a pretty color change.

I look forward to the autumn colors, but today, as I passed Hostas with a summer’s growth behind them, I noticed the dried edges on their leaves and other signs of aging. These sights made me think of fall clean-up. But my Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ still had a fresh look, as though it had not endured the hot and dry days of summer. In fact, it looked brand new, with only its impressive size and fullness revealing that it was not a “baby plant”.

If you are not familiar with this plant, Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ has succulent, needlelike foliage. Picture what looks like tiny boughs of tender pine (as in the new growth on a pine tree) growing low to the ground, filling gaps in the garden with a mat of brightest green. As with other ground covers, this plant’s matting nature is important to the overall appeal of a garden. Weeds are unlikely to creep into a patch of this Rocky Stonecrop, and its bright color nearly illuminates the plants that tower above it. Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ also is attractive in a container, where it can look a little more rounded as it cascades over a rim.

I am fond of most Stonecrops, and I have several varieties in the garden. My Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ has taken hold and fills space under a flagpole. The soil in this area was made quite different from what it originally had been, with sand and other amendments being added to keep the pole in place. This location is pretty special, but the ground has become inhospitable. Nevertheless, Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ is growing very well in it.

What a hardy plant! It is known to handle periods of drought and some neglect. Seeing how resilient Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ has been in my yard prompted a few thoughts: 

1) I may become even less nurturing of my Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ next summer, now that the plant is established, because a lack of pampering (minimal watering, no fertilizer, and so forth) is said to do it some good. I’ll see. 

2) I will keep other perennials from crowding out this Stonecrop, which needs bright sunlight to maintain its most attractive chartreuse color. 

3) I am going to get at least one more Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ to enjoy indoors and then transplant in the garden when the weather permits. I will have to be sure not to overwater it, as Stonecrop does not do well in a wet location in winter, no matter whether it is outdoors or in.

Is it unusual to want to grow this succulent indoors as a houseplant? Not when we know that the low-growing Sedums do well just about anywhere. And this Sedum, in particular, has fluffy and bright foliage that is as decorative as that of the Boston Ferns and similar plants we keep indoors. 

Summery chartreuse foliage, an easy-growing nature, and succulent stems and leaves that stay hydrated to make the plant extremely self-sufficient… all very positive attributes of Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’. Angelina in autumn... a very pretty sight!