White stonecrop (Sedum album 'Coral Carpet')
Sedum album 'Coral Carpet' is a tough, low-maintenance evergreen ground cover known as White stonecrop. Ideal for dry, sunny spots.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’, or White stonecrop, is highly valued by gardeners for its dense, mat-forming habit and exceptional hardiness. This creeping, evergreen perennial provides year-round texture, with its foliage offering seasonal color changes, transitioning from bright green to attractive reddish-bronze tones in winter. Its practicality is unmatched in difficult, dry locations where conventional ground covers often fail.
The plant creates a stunning, low carpet, rarely exceeding six inches in height, making it perfect for suppressing weeds in sunny areas. In late spring to early summer, Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ is adorned with masses of tiny, star-like white flowers, which further enhances its appeal to ornamental gardens and pollinators alike. This robust nature explains why it thrives across a wide range of environments.
Grown easily from seed or division, this stonecrop spreads readily via prostrate stems that root at the nodes, quickly establishing a solid cover. As a drought and heat-tolerant succulent, Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ is an essential component for rock gardens, green roofs, or anywhere low-input, high-reward planting is desired.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: White to pale pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal growth, plant Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ in the spring or fall when conditions are mild. This White stonecrop thrives in full sun but tolerates very light shade, demanding excellent drainage. It prefers well-drained, gravelly, or sandy soils, reflecting its adaptability to low fertility environments.
Maintenance is minimal once established. Watering should be infrequent; allow soils to dry between waterings, as it is highly drought and heat tolerant. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary, as rich soil encourages weak, floppy growth. If dividing clumps or propagating from cuttings, remember that detached leaves may easily root where they land, leading to greater spread.
Seasonal care is straightforward. In spring, clean up any winter debris, though this mat-forming sedum rarely requires heavy tidying. The plant’s ability to be spread by rooting nodes means you can easily propagate new sections simply by transplanting fragments found near established mats.
Landscape Uses
Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ excels wherever a tough, spreading, low-growing accent is needed. It is best mass-planted as a dense ground cover, effectively bridging gaps between pavers or softening the edges of retaining walls. Its creeping nature fulfills the need to naturalize seamlessly into sunny, sloped, or difficult areas.
Consider utilizing this White stonecrop in rock gardens or along border fronts where its fine texture contrasts beautifully with larger, coarser perennials. Because of its exceptional drought tolerance, it is a premier choice for modern green roof systems, providing necessary coverage without demanding intensive irrigation.
Planting in containers is feasible, though ensure the potting mix is gritty and fast-draining to mimic its preferred rocky habitat. For pathways, Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ can be tucked between stepping stones, offering seasonal color interest right underfoot.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sedum album, commonly known as white stonecrop, is a creeping, mat-forming, evergreen sedum or stonecrop that is native to Europe, Siberia, western Asia and north Africa. Its small, succulent leaves mature to reddish-brown in colder months, and its tiny, star-like white flowers attract butterflies in mid-summer. The ‘Coral Carpet’ cultivar is distinct because its new growth emerges a salmon-orange color before maturing to bright green and finally turning reddish-bronze in winter.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
This variety of stonecrop exhibits no serious insect or disease problems under normal circumstances, reflecting its sturdy succulent nature. Gardeners should remain observant for common garden pests like slugs and snails, particularly when young or if planting in damp, shaded niches, though this is rare for Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’. Occasionally, scale insects may be noted, which can usually be managed with horticultural oils.
The main concern with this plant is its vigorous spreading habit. Be aware that detached leaves or small stem fragments have the potential to root where they drop, leading to unintended colonization in adjacent beds if not managed. Locate Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ where its slightly invasive mat-forming tendency can be appreciated or easily contained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is White stonecrop suitable for?
Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ is remarkably hardy, suitable for USDA Zones 3 through 9.
How large does Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ grow?
This variety maintains a very low profile, typically reaching only 0.25 to 0.5 feet tall, but spreading between 0.5 and 0.75 feet wide.
What sun exposure does White stonecrop need?
This ground cover requires full sun to develop its best color and tight matting habit.
When does Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ bloom?
The clusters of tiny white to pale pink flowers typically appear from May through June slightly above the foliage.
Conclusion
Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ offers indispensable value to the low-maintenance garden due to its evergreen texture and extreme drought tolerance. This White stonecrop ensures reliable ground cover even in punishingly hot or dry conditions. Check your local USDA zone compatibility before planting, as it is best established during the spring or fall seasons.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’, prioritize other drought-tolerant, sun-loving species that appreciate similar lean soil conditions. Pair this White stonecrop with taller ornamental grasses, which offer vertical contrast to its creeping habit. Succulents like Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks) or upright sedums (Sedum rupestre) create beautiful textural harmonies in rock gardens.
Avoid pairing it with plants that require rich, consistently moist soil, as the Sedum will quickly decline if overwatered. The fine, tight foliage of Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ is excellent for softening the base of sparser perennials, acting as a living mulch that conserves moisture around their roots.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ is exceptionally easy, making it simple to increase your planting or share with friends. The most common method is vegetative propagation using stem fragments. Simply snap off a section of the prostrate stem or even detach a small, healthy leaf.
Lay these fragments directly onto dry, well-draining soil in a sunny location. Keep the surface lightly moist only until roots form, which usually happens quickly. This ease of propagation reinforces its utility as a fast-spreading, low-cost solution for large-scale ground cover restoration.
