Hylotelephium, Sedum, Showy Stonecrop 'Autumn Joy'
Hylotelephium spectabile
Family: | Crassulaceae (krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Hylotelephium (hy-loh-te-LEE-fee-um) (Info) |
Species: | spectabile (speck-TAB-ih-lee) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Autumn Joy |
Additional cultivar information: | (aka Herbstfreude) |
Synonym: | Sedum spectabile |

Category:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Textured
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Pink
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From leaf cuttings
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Birmingham, Alabama
Gadsden, Alabama(2 reports)
Juneau, Alaska
Seward, Alaska
Phoenix, Arizona
Batesville, Arkansas
Bear Valley Springs, California
Canoga Park, California
Castro Valley, California
Clayton, California
Clovis, California
Elk Grove, California
Fairfield, California
Golden Hills, California
Knights Landing, California
Lake Arrowhead, California
Lookout, California
Oakhurst, California
Sacramento, California
San Anselmo, California
San Leandro, California
San Lorenzo, California
Sonoma, California
Stallion Springs, California
Tehachapi, California(3 reports)
Aurora, Colorado
Denver, Colorado(2 reports)
Fort Collins, Colorado
Grand Junction, Colorado
Peyton, Colorado
Cheshire, Connecticut
Cos Cob, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Ellendale, Delaware
Lewes, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Inverness, Florida
Pensacola, Florida(2 reports)
Wellborn, Florida
Athens, Georgia
Braselton, Georgia
Cordele, Georgia
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Kamiah, Idaho
Godfrey, Illinois
Hampton, Illinois
Hinsdale, Illinois
Jacksonville, Illinois
Machesney Park, Illinois
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Niles, Illinois
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Palmyra, Illinois
Pontiac, Illinois
Spring Grove, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Washington, Illinois
Waukegan, Illinois
Williamsville, Illinois
Columbus, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Fishers, Indiana
Georgetown, Indiana
Macy, Indiana
Davenport, Iowa(2 reports)
Des Moines, Iowa
Nichols, Iowa
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Storm Lake, Iowa
Olathe, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Ewing, Kentucky
Hebron, Kentucky
Murray, Kentucky
Symsonia, Kentucky
Ruston, Louisiana
Slidell, Louisiana
Brunswick, Maine
North Yarmouth, Maine
South Berwick, Maine
Westbrook, Maine
Cumberland, Maryland
Laurel, Maryland
Amesbury, Massachusetts
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dracut, Massachusetts
Halifax, Massachusetts
Lakeville, Massachusetts
Roslindale, Massachusetts(2 reports)
Saugus, Massachusetts
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
West Harwich, Massachusetts
Westford, Massachusetts
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Eastpointe, Michigan
Garden City, Michigan
Hillsdale, Michigan
Owosso, Michigan
Lake George, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota(3 reports)
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Florence, Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Mathiston, Mississippi
Albany, Missouri
Belton, Missouri
Bolivar, Missouri
Cole Camp, Missouri
Doniphan, Missouri
Saint James, Missouri
Thayer, Missouri
Lincoln, Nebraska
Franklin, New Hampshire
Greenfield, New Hampshire
Hebron, New Hampshire
Littleton, New Hampshire
Warner, New Hampshire
Metuchen, New Jersey
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Elephant Butte, New Mexico
Farmington, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Ballston Lake, New York
Buffalo, New York
Croton On Hudson, New York
Deposit, New York
Elba, New York
Himrod, New York
Jefferson, New York
Manorville, New York
Mount Vision, New York
Penn Yan, New York
Trumansburg, New York
Charlotte, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina(2 reports)
Rowland, North Carolina
Taylorsville, North Carolina
Belfield, North Dakota
Medora, North Dakota
Akron, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio(3 reports)
Clyde, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Coshocton, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio
Glouster, Ohio
Grove City, Ohio
Lewis Center, Ohio
Oak Hill, Ohio
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Yukon, Oklahoma
Dallas, Oregon
Gold Hill, Oregon
MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Irwin, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania(2 reports)
Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Schwenksville, Pennsylvania
Watsontown, Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Wakefield, Rhode Island
Clinton, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Florence, South Carolina
North Augusta, South Carolina
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Clarksville, Tennessee
Crossville, Tennessee
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Lenoir City, Tennessee
Murfreesboro, Tennessee(3 reports)
Nashville, Tennessee
Pocahontas, Tennessee
Seymour, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Belton, Texas
Burleson, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)
Houston, Texas
Irving, Texas(2 reports)
Kerrville, Texas(2 reports)
Mc Kinney, Texas
North Richland Hills, Texas
Quinlan, Texas
Rowlett, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Sugar Land, Texas
Salt Lake City, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
Tooele, Utah
Randolph, Vermont
Elkton, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
Front Royal, Virginia
Leesburg, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
Martinsville, Virginia
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Stafford, Virginia
Woodbridge, Virginia
Bellevue, Washington
Burbank, Washington
Elma, Washington
Everett, Washington
Freeland, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Kent, Washington
MOXEE, Washington
Orchards, Washington
Redmond, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Huntington, West Virginia
Weston, West Virginia
Ellsworth, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
West Bend, Wisconsin
Casper, Wyoming
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jun 18, 2018, GarySutt from Manchester, NH wrote: Cannot say enough about this plant. It is excellent for the beginning gardener or the well seasoned one. Contrary to a note here, it does attract bees and butterflies. |
Neutral | On May 20, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: True 'Autumn Joy' is a sterile hybrid, which is why the 'seedheads' don't shatter and instead remain for winter interest. As with Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', much of the material offered for sale in the US is seed-grown, and is not the true cultivar. Most of these impostors bloom earlier than 'Autumn Joy', which begins to bloom here (Boston Z6a) the first week of September. |
Negative | On May 19, 2014, Oenone22 from Portsmouth, 'Autumn Joy' is a hybrid of spectabile and telephium. It does not produce nectar, and consequently does not attract butterflies, unlike S. spectabile cultivars such as 'Carmen', and 'Brilliant'. |
Neutral | On May 19, 2014, quiltbug48 from Bolivar, MO wrote: I planted my autumn Joy about 19 years ago and it is still going very strong; however, it keeps it's pale green heads all through autumn, never turning to pink nor red. It gets full sun. Also it has never spread more than about 12 inches in diameter. I do nothing to it other than admire the pretty leaves and pale green heads, no watering, no fertilizing. Should I be doing something to encourage the heads to change colors? |
Positive | On Sep 27, 2012, lanahi from Kamiah, ID wrote: The pollinators are always on this plant, so I'd plant it for that as much as anything else. It is a neat and interesting plant. |
Positive | On Feb 28, 2012, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote: A dependable Sedum, though it is used a bit too frequently in my opinion. Blooms September-October in my garden. |
Positive | On Sep 14, 2011, JanWR from Trumansburg, NY wrote: 'Autumn Joy' is a nice foil for other late bloomers such as asters, and a good contrast to fine-leaved plants. Have grown it successfully in heavy clay soils in Maryland and Virginia, and moist loam in central New York. This is one tough plant, but well-behaved. However, in southern Virginia it is 'deer resistant' only to the extent that my plants have survived years of cropping by the night raiders, who seem to love both the flowers and the juicy leaves. |
Positive | On Aug 7, 2011, Wrenflower from Fort Collins, CO wrote: Very hardy. I picked this up for free at a garage sale. It was dried out and appeared dead. I sat the plastic pot out on some rocks with a hot southwest exposure against a light colored wall over two winters and it comes back every year. Whether I water it or not it survives. I planted it in the same location and it is still going strong. |
Neutral | On Jul 25, 2010, mezzomomm from Tehachapi, CA wrote: I've just been given some cuttings and am wondering if I have to put this in a gopher cage. Does anyone have any experience with this particular plant and gophers? |
Positive | On Oct 11, 2009, JoyfulSeason from Kerrville, TX wrote: When I lived in Maryland (zone 6), the Autumn Joy sedums thrived, and were seen everywhere. In the late afternoons, they tended to wilt a bit, but by morning they were upright, again. The sedums did tend to flop when they bloomed, but I learned that if I cut mine back by 1/2 around July 4th, they didn't flop in the fall. I grew new plants from the cuttings and planted them when they rooted. In a few years, I had them growing all over my flower beds, and was giving them to friends. Now, I live in Texas (zone 7b), with entirely different growing conditions. Gave the Autumn Joys a try in a container last year, but they got whiteflies (huh?????). They were mostly in shade, which may have been the problem. Quickly took some cuttings and destroyed the mother plants. The cuttings are doi... read more |
Positive | On Jun 29, 2009, carpathiangirl from Akron, OH (Zone 5a) wrote: Quite long-lived perennial too -- mine is more than 10 y.o. Not floppy for me. Comes back early in the spring and already set buds (end of June). |
Positive | On Jun 29, 2009, beachwoman from South Kingstown, RI (Zone 5b) wrote: After seeing Autumn Joy in a friend's yard four years ago, we took cuttings and started growing it as well (South Kingstown, RI). It has quickly become one of our favorites, growing in all sections of the yard, flourishing in different kinds of soils or sun conditions, needing little or no |
Positive | On Jun 29, 2009, planterlady from Thornbury, I have this plant as a border around our small patio - there is green all season and then of course we enjoy the color changes. Gives the patio privacy without closing it in entirely. Great plant. |
Neutral | On Jun 29, 2009, ptworek from West Harwich, MA wrote: I have first year plantings that began very well. But June has been a month of rain almost every day. The plants are laying on the ground, stems flopping sideways from the center. Sould I try to raise and stake the stems, hoping that the remainder of the summer will help them reposition and grow upward? or should I leave them laying on the soil? |
Positive | On Jun 19, 2009, darylmitchell from Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) wrote: I have two Autumn Joy sedums in the south-facing flower bed against my house. They're both planted in the rain shadow of the house, so any water they get comes from when I water them with the hose. They're pretty tough and survive the extreme cold of our winters. One seems to be smaller than the other, but it could be because it's shaded for part of the day by the front steps. Other than that, they seem to thrive on neglect. |
Positive | On May 17, 2008, Katze from Minneapolis, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: This plant is definitely a tough plant and one that is nearly impossible to kill. They will grow in part shade, but will not get as large as those in full sun. The 'Autumn Joy' cultivar seems to have foliage that are one of three shades: the regular deep gray-green described here, variegated (yellow with a lighter green), and a lighter green that is almost the same color you'd find on Stock 'Vintage Mix' (we have all three in our yard, planted by the former owners of our house). I've never had problems with these plants flopping, but maybe that's because I ignore our Sedums unless it is unusually dry out. |
Positive | On Apr 13, 2008, sunnytop56 from Lincoln, NE (Zone 5a) wrote: I had this plant growing all over the yard when I moved in. At first I thought I'd have to get rid of it thinking it to be the ugliest plant. However when fall came it made up for the rest of the year and I ended up leaving it all alone. I was amazed that sun was listed. Most of mine are growing under shady trees and grow like weeds into huge plants. |
Positive | On Nov 17, 2007, kd2000 from toronto, This is a fabulous plant and does very well in my Zone 4/5 Canadian garden. It provides great spring/summer foliage and shape interest, and a nice fall colour display. I have found propagation to be very easy. I divided 4 mature specimens into 10 in early spring, and all 10 recovered to the size of the parent by fall with only a bit of bonemeal as aid. Cuttings also root very easily, I take 4" cuttings leaving 2 leaves on and stick them directly into a nursery bed in spring, most try to flower by fall. However, as they seem to recover size so quickly through division I would recommend division, as my cuttings seem to grow very slowly. |
Neutral | On Aug 4, 2007, mystic from Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) wrote: Received the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), 1993 Award of Garden Merit. Reconfirmed in 2006. |
Positive | On Jun 21, 2007, susybell from Vancouver, WA (Zone 8a) wrote: For me, basically effortless. Hasn't taken over the world like so much seems to do, fills in nicely, blooms every year. I leave the seed heads for birds over the winter and cut them back when the new growth is starting to pop up. That's all I do. I may divide them this year. |
Positive | On Oct 17, 2006, laura10801 from Fairfield County, CT (Zone 6b) wrote: I find this plant to be a bit leggy, but aside from that it is nice enough. I am really not that fond of it and I don't treat it particularly well, but the thing seems to be made of cast iron, I've moved it 3 times and it always seems to be fine. It reminds me in appearance of purple flowered broccoli. |
Positive | On Sep 1, 2006, soulbloom from Richmond, VA wrote: I bought this plant last year and didn't know much about gardening. I neglected the plant by leaving it in its original pot outside over the winter. Suprisingly, it came back. This year, I platned it in a small bed with other succulents and it has done very well. I hope to add some more to my garden in the future. |
Positive | On Jun 13, 2006, yoho05 from NCR, I could not provide my zipcode to the 'Regional' area of this page as I do not live in the USA. This plant grows like a house on fire here in Ottawa, Ontario; we are in Canadian zone 5a, where winter temps can creep down to -30C. |
Neutral | On May 23, 2006, winging from Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: This plant is quite hardy and provides winter interest if you leave the stalks with the seedheads over the winter. The only problem I've had with it is that in one specific spot the plants always die from root rot, but this is likely because of the slope and the lack of drains in the retaining wall. |
Positive | On Dec 26, 2005, berrygirl from Braselton, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: I have been growing these for several years now and love them. They are absolutely fool-proof and require no care whatsoever. So very easy to make more- cut off a bit and stick in the ground and voila- more sedums! Hot, humid and dry Georgia summers don't faze them a bit. I love the way the plants look during all 4 seasons. |
Positive | On May 18, 2005, Gindee77 from Hampton, IL (Zone 5a) wrote: The sedum in my garden attract butterflies and they look good when the blooms are open. They look like thousands of little roses. |
Positive | On Mar 22, 2005, PerryPost from Minneapolis, MN wrote: In reference to JoanJ's comment about 'Autumn Joy' as a bee magnet, two years in a row now we have found late season bees (honey and bumble) on the blooms in the early morning, so cold they could barely move (great opportunity to pet them!) After some time in the sun they are able to fly away. |
Positive | On Dec 29, 2004, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote: This is a truly lovely plant in late fall when the gardens are starting to look a little tired. This pulls through and blooms strong and is a bumbleebee magnet. |
Positive | On Oct 21, 2004, jsandco from West Bend, WI (Zone 5b) wrote: This plant provides some winter interest to the garden. The rust flower stalks stay upright all winter, look nice with frost on them or especially when they catch the snow. |
Positive | On Oct 18, 2004, henryr10 from Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) wrote: We have found w/ all Stonecrop type Sedum that pinching back helps the correct the 'floppies'. |
Neutral | On Aug 5, 2004, shortcm from Wilmington, DE (Zone 7b) wrote: I'm glad to hear the reason for my "floppy" plant. I'd actually dug it up and replaced it with a newer, sturdier version. I'll try the leftover clump where it won't get much water, and more sun. |
Neutral | On Aug 4, 2004, PurplePansies from Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote: This is a fine plant...... good if you want something really indestructable and easy to grow...... Looks nice with echinaceas and rudbeckias......... NOt the prettiest plant though...... pretty leaves although they can look very catctusy and inaapropriate in some gardens...... especially up north..... the blooms are nothing to write home about..... Look like broccoli...... good for low maintenance long term long season though not year round interest though......... would I reccomend it...... naaaahhhhh |
Positive | On Sep 23, 2003, Karenn from Mount Prospect, IL (Zone 5a) wrote: The more you ignore this variety, the better it does. Yes, it does take a year or two to really establish a clump, but you should not amend clay soil, and you should not "feed" these plants. The amended and fed soil (along with too much water) is what creates the "floppies"! Left to their own devices, they self-sow willy-nilly anywhere within 10 to 20 feet! And, yes, they are very easy to propagate. Break off a stem & stick it in the ground! You'll have a small plant the next year, and a mature plant the following year. |
Positive | On Jun 20, 2003, haleygem from Saugus, MA wrote: Very Hardy. I have it growing in a mostly shade garden in the NE zone 6. I know it is a sun plant but this just shows how hardy it is. |
Positive | On Apr 24, 2003, beckykay from Godfrey, IL (Zone 6a) wrote: I have been growing them for several years and have passed these plants on to friends and neighbors. Very easy to divide. I do use a round cage to help hold them together after they are about 6" tall or they seem to fall over. Have a great gardening day today. Thx. |
Neutral | On Apr 24, 2003, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: I hope these do better their second year compared to the first year (container plants installed March '02). Contrary to what others have posted, here in Northern CA mine bloom in the springtime after the winter rains. What I found disappointing is that without regular water, the flowerheads don't even open; just turn an ugly brown. |
Positive | On Apr 23, 2003, Kelli from L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) wrote: My Autumn Joy bloom in August and are a sign to me that the oppressive summer heat will soon be tapering off. |
Positive | On Apr 23, 2003, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: This perennially-popular perennial was created in 1955 by crossing Sedum spectabile with Sedum telephium. It is often found listed as S. spectabile or S. telephium. |
Neutral | On May 3, 2002, loisbeth wrote: Autumn Joy Sedum is a succulent perennial with 6" flat-topped flower spikes that open pale-pink darken with age to bronze. Foliage is grayish green. Nice early fall addition to the garden. |