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More sweet than tart, Lemon Coral sedum is a lush succulent that requires little maintenance

Norman Winter
·4 min read

It is lemon season in the South and The Garden Guy couldn’t be happier. This lemon is not the sweet and tart kind, however. Spring is the ideal season for Lemon Coral sedum.

This succulent knows no limits to its versatility, whether used in containers or throughout a landscape. In December in Columbus, Georgia, containers look as if a lime green or chartreuse lava flow spilling over the rim of the container.

A gaze down the wall shows Supertunia Vista Jazzberry petunia and Superbells Grape Punch calibrachoa, but it's not hard to notice the yellow glow from the Lemon Coral sedum.
A gaze down the wall shows Supertunia Vista Jazzberry petunia and Superbells Grape Punch calibrachoa, but it's not hard to notice the yellow glow from the Lemon Coral sedum.

Botanically speaking it is Sedum mexicanum, commonly called Mexican stonecrop. Though it is a succulent from Mexico, it didn’t flinch at the Garden Guy’s house during the December Arctic blast. Even though I moved my containers to the garage for five days, the uncovered patches in the ground had no problem whatsoever.

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Its cold hardiness range is 7-11, but anyone who has mixed containers or could use a small patch of glowing green in the flower border needs Lemon Coral sedum. As a point of reference, consider it has won Perfect Score All Season at Penn State, Top Performer at University of Wisconsin, Top Performer at Michigan State University and, of course, trophies in the South, too.

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Lemon Coral sedum grow from 3- to 10-inches tall with a 14-inch spread. Humorously, Proven Winners says on the information about blooms, "IS GROWN FOR FOLIAGE!" Well, that may be so in those northern states where the trophies were handed out, but in the perennial zones, we celebrate the tiny yellow flowers that are so abundant we can’t count them.

Then in April in the South, uncountable yellow flowers erupt into bloom signaling the official ‘Spring’ celebration can begin.
Then in April in the South, uncountable yellow flowers erupt into bloom signaling the official ‘Spring’ celebration can begin.

Do you have those spots in the landscape where nothing can grow and you are considering rocks. Try Lemon Coral sedum. In fact, it can grow in your rocks. Put rocks down and then let Lemon Coral sedum cover them with lime! Drought-tolerant and tough as nails. No maintenance except for those of us reveling in those glorious yellow blooms ever April. After the bloom we cut it back and let it do its thing.

Lemon Coral sedum has the uncanny ability to steal the spotlight wherever it is growing. It is a plant that screams, "Look at me." I grow it next to Superbells Pomegranate Punch calibrachoa with a least a hundred incredible blossoms. While you may gawk at the red, your eyes will be drawn to the thousand tiny yellow blooms on the sedum.

Containers cluster together on the corner of The Garden Guy’s patio showing Dolce Appletini heuchera, Supertunia Vista Paradise petunia and a container of Lemon Coral sedum intermingled with Superbena Imperial Blue verbena and Supertunia Mini Vista Scarlet petunia.
Containers cluster together on the corner of The Garden Guy’s patio showing Dolce Appletini heuchera, Supertunia Vista Paradise petunia and a container of Lemon Coral sedum intermingled with Superbena Imperial Blue verbena and Supertunia Mini Vista Scarlet petunia.

I have pots in clusters or groups on the corners of my patio full of Supertunias and Superbenas in bloom but it is the glowing lime and lemon of the little sedum that catches your imagination. I’m not saying skip the Supers by that I mean Supertunias, Superbenas and Superbells, just know the little sedum from Mexico will make them look all the more dazzling.

Now, I need to address one little thing that brings me to a boiling point. If you have Lemon Coral sedum in a basket or anywhere elevated, even a tall pot, you will break a branch or a bird will. When that branch of Lemon Ball sedum hits the ground, it has found a new home, it will root. To me this is a miracle of horticulture, you can start your Lemon Coral sedum farm. But seriously, this is as they say in Louisiana ‘lagniappe,’ an extra gift.

Superbells Black Currant Punch calibrachoa and Lemon Coral sedum intermingle creating a dazzling partnership.
Superbells Black Currant Punch calibrachoa and Lemon Coral sedum intermingle creating a dazzling partnership.

Spring planting is coming your way with the snow melt (just kidding), when you design this year’s containers by all means add that little Top Performer, Lemon Coral sedum.

Norman Winter is a horticulturist. He is a former director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Follow him on Facebook at Norman Winter “The Garden Guy.” See more columns by Norman at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/home-garden/.

Mark Your Calendars and Tend Your Garden

Spring Plant Sale ~ A fundraiser for Savannah Botanical GardensWhere: Savannah Botanical Gardens (SBG), 1388 Eisenhower DriveWhen: May 13, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.What: Plant containers for sale and lots of plants to go in them – local nursery plants, plants from the Botanical Gardens, & pass-along plants donated by local area garden club members.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions.Why: Fundraiser benefits the SBG and is presented by the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs and the SBG. Cost: Free admission to the gardens.  Free parking.Info: 912-355-3883 or sacgc1388@botanical.comcastbiz.net

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah georgia gardens lemon coral sedum mexican stonecrop