How to Grow and Care for Autumn Joy Stonecrop

Autumn Joy stonecrop—Hylotelephium telephium 'Herbstfreude' (‘Autumn Joy’)—is a popular upright variety of stonecrop, also known as sedum.It is a hybrid plant created by crossing a species of sedum (Sedum telephium) with a species of ice plant (Hylotelephium spectabile). The resulting plant features gray-green, rounded, succulent-like leaves.

The plant grows up to 2 feet tall and wide, which is taller than other sedums that typically make good flowering groundcovers. Autumn Joy blooms in the late summer to fall with tiny, pink, star-shaped flowers that grow in clusters roughly 3 to 6 inches across on top of the plant’s stems. After they bloom, the flowers gradually change in color to a deep rose and then rust before they die when cold fall temperatures arrive. Autumn Joy stonecrop has a moderate growth rate and is best planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, but before the hot summer temperatures kick in.

Autumn Joy Stonecrop Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing Autumn Joy stonecrop:

• Plant in well-draining soil with full sun exposure.
• Do not overwater, as sitting in soggy soil risks killing the plants.
• It is heat- and drought-tolerant.
• Space plants at least 1 foot apart in the garden; they will gradually fill in and form clumps.

Light

Autumn Joy prefers to grow in full sunlight, meaning at least six hours of direct light on most days. Shady conditions make the plant leggy and reduce flower production. But in very hot summer climates, your plants might appreciate some shade in the midafternoon.

Soil

This plant thrives in sandy or gravelly soil with good, sharp drainage. But it will tolerate loamy soil provided it is well-drained and not allowed to remain constantly damp.

Water

Autumn Joy does not need much water and has excellent drought tolerance. Even in the heat of summer, light watering every two weeks or so is sufficient. More frequent watering may cause the roots to rot.

Temperature and Humidity

This plant tolerates a wide range of temperatures. It tolerates extreme heat well and often continues to look attractive in the fall until it has been exposed to a few frosts. Then, it dies back and goes dormant for winter. Humidity is typically not an issue for the plantas long as the soil doesn’t retain excessive moisture in areas with high humidity.

Fertilizer

Autumn Joy grows well in poor soils, so feeding is typically not necessary. The plant might like a light spring feeding with a balanced fertilizer if you have very poor soil. However, excessive fertilizing causes leggy growth.

Types of Stonecrop

These are some other stonecrop varieties that are closely related to Autumn Joy:

• Hylotelephium'Autumn Charm': This plant has similar blooms to Autumn Joy but has serrated gray-green leaves with cream edges.
• Hylotelephiumspectabile'Autumn Fire': Autumn Fire has larger flower heads and stronger stems than Autumn Joy, and it blooms for a longer period.
• Sedum 'Mr. Goodbud': This hybrid is a good choice if you want darker, more purplish flowers. It blooms a bit earlier than Autumn Joy.
• Sedum spectabile 'Hot Stuff': This is a more compact plant than Autumn Joy, growing only 10 to 12 inches tall with pink and purple flowers.
• Sedum spectabile 'Iceberg': This plant has mainly white flowers and is a slightly smaller plant than Autumn Joy, growing to a maximum of about 16 inches.

Pruning

Autumn Joy stonecrop might benefit from tip pruning in the spring to promote better growth, but in most cases, simply let the plant thrive on its own, and you'll be rewarded with copious blossoms. Cut back the stems in the late spring to limit their height and promote thicker, fuller growth.Some gardeners cut down the stems in the fall after the foliage begins to deteriorate, but the stems can also be left to provide winter interest and cut down in the spring before new growth starts. Birds will feed on the dried flower heads over winter.

Propagating Autumn Joy Stonecrop

Autumn Joy stonecrop is extremely easy to propagate through stem cuttings, even if they are simply stuck into the ground. Even individual leaves fallen on the ground will sometimes take root and grow into full plants. Alternatively, take cuttings from new growth after watering in the morning or early evening. This is how it's done:

1. Using clean, sharp pruners or a knife, cut a 4- to 6-inch healthy stem.
2. Remove the bottom leaves and insert the cutting in a 4-inch pot filled with soilless potting mix. Water it well and keep it evenly moist.
3. Check for roots after a few weeks by very gently tugging on the plant.Once you feel resistance, you’ll know it has rooted and it is ready to be planted in the garden.

Another option is to divide sedum plants, ideally in the spring:

1. Cut the stems down to about 6 inches. Water the plant well for a couple of days before dividing.
2. Lift the entire clump with a garden spade. Cut it into individual sections with a trowel, or, if the clump is small, simply pull it apart with your fingers.
3. Replant the sections in a new location at the same depth as the original plant. Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist at all times until you see new growth.
   

Overwintering

This plant is hardy to USDA zone 3 and does not need protection even in climates with harsh winters. It will die back, assuming you do not choose to prune it back in the fall, and will bounce back in the spring with fresh foliage and blossoms.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Autumn Joy stonecrop is remarkably free of most common garden pests and disease problems, though the fleshy leaves are susceptible to damage from aphids, slugs, and mealybugs. To control them, keep the soil around the plant free of debris and avoid mulching the plant. You may also use neem oil on a severe infestation if necessary.

Occasionally, deer feed on the fleshy leaves. Rabbits, however, tend to avoid succulents.

The plant is prone to fungal problems such as blight, powdery mildew, rust, and root rot, especially if it is overwatered. Less fertilizer and adding drainage to the soil can help treat and prevent these problems, as well as plenty of sun exposure.

How to Get Autumn Joy to Bloom

Bloom Months

Autumn Joy stonecrop typically blooms fromAugust into November.

What Do Autumn Joy Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Autumn Joy stonecrop's flowers are a deep rosy pink color that can turn to a light coppery red shade. The flowers are said to have a honey-like scent.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Make sure your plant is getting at least six hours of full sunlight each day, and that it's resting in well-drained soil. Soil that is very rich in fertilizer or compost can be a detriment to this plant, as it will want to grow more foliage and stems than blooms. Shade will also prevent blooms from appearing on your plant. Lastly, deadheading dried flowers will help to encourage more blooms.

From: thespruce