Stonecrop (Sedum 'Garnet Brocade')
Sedum 'Garnet Brocade' Stonecrop is a tough, low-maintenance perennial offering succulent burgundy foliage and vibrant garnet red late-season blooms.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ is a standout herbaceous perennial appreciated for its resilience and striking late-season color. This Stonecrop hybrid forms a neat, compact mound, defined by its succulent foliage that often takes on deep burgundy or bronze tones, setting the stage for its summer flowers. Gardeners rely on this variety for long-term, low-effort planting schemes.
This tough plant belongs to the genus Sedum, famous for its drought tolerance—a key feature making Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ invaluable in hot, dry garden spots. It excels when given full sun and well-drained media, thriving where other plants might struggle.
The visual payoff arrives late in the season, typically August through October, when flattened clusters of garnet red flowers emerge. These blooms are particularly attractive to late-season pollinators like bees and butterflies, providing crucial late nectar sources.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Crassulaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to October
- Bloom Description: Garnet red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Establish your Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ during spring or fall, ensuring the site offers ample sun exposure. The absolute key to success with this Stonecrop is excellent soil drainage; heavy, wet clay soils must be amended with grit or sand to prevent winter rotting. While it prefers average, well-drained soils, it performs admirably even in lean, gravelly conditions.
Watering should be infrequent, especially after the plant has established its root system. This variety naturally tolerates drought and heat, requiring supplementation only during prolonged dry spells. Avoid overly rich soils, as too much fertility combined with shade will result in weak, floppy growth rather than the desired compact mound of Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’.
Maintenance is minimal. Generally, no fertilization is needed since rich soils are detrimental. If you notice taller stems starting to sprawl later in the season, you can pinch them back in the spring, which will encourage a bushier, more robust habit for the coming year. Perform any necessary cleanup of old foliage in early spring before new growth begins.
Landscape Uses
Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ functions beautifully as an edging plant or in the front of mixed perennial borders where its mid-sized stature won’t obscure shorter companions. Due to its tolerance for tough, rocky soil conditions, it is a perfect candidate for rock gardens or arid plantings where excellent drainage is guaranteed.
This Stonecrop looks best when massed or planted in groups, allowing the unified bronze foliage and late color display to create a significant impact. Since both its structure and flower color peak in the late season, plan companions that provide strong texture or color earlier in the year, fading gracefully as the garnet red blooms appear. It is also an excellent, drought-tolerant choice for seasonal interest in containers.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Plants in the genus Sedum are commonly called stonecrops because they are typically found in the wild growing on rocky or stony areas. ‘Garnet Brocade’ is a compact hybrid stonecrop that typically grows in an upright mound to 14” tall and 18” wide. It is noted for having succulent burgundy bronze foliage and garnet red flowers that attract butterflies and bees.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Monitor for common pests like slugs and snails, which can occasionally feed on the succulent leaves. Scale can sometimes be an issue, though typically minor in healthy, sunny locations. The primary threat to this Stonecrop is poor drainage; rotting out is highly possible if the soil stays soggy, particularly during winter dormancy. To maintain its naturally compact shape, ensure your Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ receives full sun and is not pampered with excessive moisture or rich compost, as these conditions encourage flopping. Pinching stems in the spring is an easy preventative measure to encourage thicker basal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Stonecrop suitable for?
This versatile plant, Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’, is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, offering a wide range of adaptability across the country.
How large does Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ grow?
This cultivar typically matures into an upright mound, reaching heights between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a similar spread of 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
When does Stonecrop bloom?
Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ provides reliable late-season color, with blooms appearing from August through October, featuring distinct garnet red flowers.
What sun exposure does the plant need?
This Stonecrop requires full sun to maintain its dense habit and vibrant foliage color, although it can tolerate very light, brief periods of afternoon shade.
Conclusion
The Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ is a cornerstone plant for gardeners seeking low-maintenance color and reliable structure against drought or poor soils. Its succulent foliage and late-flowering garnet red display ensure garden interest extends well into autumn. Before planting, always confirm your soil drains effectively, and utilize the Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ in sunny, well-drained borders this coming season.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’, prioritize other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials that don’t require rich amendments. Plants like ornamental grasses (e.g., Panicum or Miscanthus varieties), Echinacea (Coneflower), and Achillea (Yarrow) share similar cultural needs for sharp drainage and full sun. Placing the burgundy foliage of the Stonecrop near silver-leaved plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) creates a beautiful complementary contrast throughout the growing season.
Wildlife Benefits
The late flowering period of this Stonecrop is one of its greatest assets for local ecosystems. As many summer bloomers fade, Sedum ‘Garnet Brocade’ offers a vital late-season nectar source, ensuring local bee populations have fuel reserves before winter. The dense clusters of its garnet red flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies seeking sustenance as they prepare for migration or overwintering. Planting this variety helps extend the usable bloom window in your garden for beneficial insects.
