Even novice gardeners are usually familiar with members of the sedum or stonecrop genus. Many of the low growing sedums, one of the most common being Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood', have long been staples in many rock gardens or rock walls.

However recently several taller, showy sedums have become very popular components of the perennial garden. This year you might find them listed under a new botanical name, since they have recently been shifted to a new genus Hylotelephium spp. Showy sedum has 2-3" long, bluish or gray-green, fleshy leaves on 12-24" stems. The flowers make good cut flowers and can also be dried. They required full sun and well drained soil.

The most commonly grown type of showy sedum is Sedum x 'Autumn Joy' (Hylotelephium x 'Autumn Joy'), also know as 'Herbstfreude'. It produces large rosy-salmon or deep bronze red flowers from early fall to frost. Other interesting cultivars include the following:

• 'Autumn Fire'- Extended blooming from pale pink rose, to bright red, to bronze-red. Medium green foliage. Height 2-3', width 18-24".
  
• 'Black Jack'- Dark purple, almost black leaves, with compact stems and pink flowers. Height 24" with 15-18" " spread.
  
• 'Frost Morn'- 12" tall with light pink flowers and a wide white border on the margin of each leaf.
  
• 'Iceberg'- A cousin of 'Autumn Joy' with white flowers in fall.
  
• 'Matrona'- Dark bluish-green leaves with rosy-pink edges and reddish stems; flowers pink.
  
• 'Purple Emperor'- Dark purple, almost black leaves, with compact stems and pinkish-purple flowers. Height 15" with 12-23" spread.
  
• 'Vera Jameson'- Purplish-bronze leaves on 9-12" plants with dusty pink flowers.
  
• 'Xenox'- Bluish-green spring foliage darkens to burgundy. Sturdy stems and soft pink flowers in fall. Height 10", width 12".
  
• S. alboroseum 'Mediovariegatum'- Attractive green and white foliage with pale pink flowers.
  
• S. telephium 'Indian Chief'- Very similar to 'Autumn Joy' with light green foliage and bright coppery red flowers in fall.

A common problem encountered with showy sedum is rotting of the crown or the stems falling over. Sedum is a succulent plant, tolerates drought well and must have well drained soil. If the soil remains too wet the plants are prone to rotting. Sedum is also a plant that thrives on neglect. If the stems are falling over, then the plants have received too much water, too much fertilizer or are growing in too much shade.