Sedum getting too big

catman · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: Sedum getting too big

Hi all,

I created a new raised bed in my garden for the first time this year so I'm a novice gardener. At the end of March I planted the bed up with lots of different plants. All are growing well and establishing themselves in their own space. The only exception is the Sedum. It is growing enormous. It grown to about 2 and half foot height and diameter in 2 months. I dont mind this at all over time as this is what I was expecting it to grow to. The only problem I have with it growing so big so fast is that all the other plant around it are getting swallowed up and are not getting established. A friend of mine has one 3 years old, which looks the exact same but is only still about 9 inches.
Will the Sedum grow much bigger? Can I cut it back now to give the other plants a chance and if not when can I cut it back?

michael brenock · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

the sedum has struck gold having an ideal growing medium an poor competition. Cutting back will help for a short time but it will regain its full height again soon. However as the compost runs out of food the plant growth will slow down next year. best leave the cutting back until next Spring.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Sive · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:57 am Post subject:

Last year I was given the tip ( by an expert ) that if I gave my sedum the "chelsea chop" I would have a much tidier plant, so I did exactly that around the time of Chelsea Flower show, and I can't see where my flowers are going to come from now....I think I may have none this year!!!
As for your giant....I suspect you must have planted one of the bigger ones....sedums come in so many different sizes.
Have you got another spot where you could move it to? I think the commonest mistake we amateurs make is underestimating how big a plant or shrub will grow! But I move things all the time, it's part of the learning process.

Liparis · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject:

Which Sedum is it? As sive says, it could be one for the herbacious bed rather than the Alpine bed.
Bill.

lyn · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject:

i cut my sedum back to half its size about june 1st and it will flower in aug,sept pink flowers .If i dont cut back it grows quite large and tends to flop

Sive · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:35 pm Post subject:

Hi lyn, it's a relief to hear you do the "chelsea chop" on your sedum....I'm a little more optimistic now, having seen fresh growth very recently, and I'll be very interested to see what the flowers are like, as I agree with you, sedums do tend to flop and look messy.

inishindie · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: eat it

Hi

If it's the sedum spectabile then instead of allowing it to swallow the plants around it why not think about eating it yourself....

They are not the tastiest of leaves and a bit juicy but they boil up OK. you can eat them raw too ...(usual disclaimers apply as I got into trouble a while ago suggesting to eat crinodendron seeds)

Cheers

Ian

lyn · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject:

yes,mine are Sedum Spectabile. The butterflies love it!