About
Broadleaf stonecrop (Phedimus kamtschaticus), still sold as Sedum kamtschaticum, is a mat-forming succulent perennial from East Asia widely planted in temperate gardens for scalloped evergreen leaves and yellow star flowers in summer. Plants spread modestly to form weed-suppressing carpets 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) tall, rooting lightly at nodes. In permaculture it covers dry strip edges, green roof trays, and rockwork where thirsty turf would demand irrigation apologies. ☀️💧 Sun and Water Requirements: Full sun to light partial shade; dense dry shade thins coverage. Drought-tolerant once established; prefers gritty, well-drained soil. Winter wet on heavy clay without slope can rot crowns—add drainage or raise beds. ✂️ Propagation: Divide mats in spring or early fall; reset pieces with contact to soil for rooting. Detach rooted offsets anytime during the growing season. Soft tip cuttings in summer root quickly in sharp sand. 🌾 Harvest / Best Use Timing: Primarily ornamental and ecological; not a staple food crop for most systems. If experimenting with edible uses, verify species guidance—harvest timing should leave plenty for pollinators during bloom peaks.
Permaculture Functions
- Ground Cover: Succulent mat excludes weeds on dry edges and stone joints.
- Ornamental: Yellow flowers and tidy foliage suit low-input design without bark mulch fetishes.
- Pollinator: Small star flowers feed bees and flies in mid-summer when many spring showboats quit.
- Erosion Control: Roots stabilize thin soil on slopes and wall crevices.
- Border Plant: Defines paths and bed lips where mower wheels should not visit.
Practitioner Notes
- Older mats hollow in the center—divide and reset before the donut jokes write themselves.
- Deer usually pass; rabbits may sample spring tips—monitor once, adjust expectations.
- Flowers age to bronze seedheads; clip if you hate them, leave if you like winter texture.
- Names in catalogs shift faster than taxonomy—trust growth habit over label nostalgia.
Companion Planting
- Yarrow — matches sun and drought while adding vertical bloom contrast above low mats
- Creeping Thyme — fills tighter stone gaps while stonecrop handles broader pads
- Little Bluestem — vertical warm-season grass backdrop for graphic ground-plane texture
- Over-irrigation on clay — winter crown rot follows misplaced kindness
Pest Pressure