The joy of autumn
By Arlene Marturano

Sedum autumn joy adds a succession of colors to the fall garden wardrobe. Star-shaped blossoms of pink become a cherry-rose before turning russet and copper. In winter dark mahogany umbrella--shaped seed heads glisten in the frost.

Fall is prime time to plant perennials, and this upright sedum with an average height of 18 inches and a spread of 18-24 inches is a good choice for containers, borders, and massed or mixed beds. Blossoms are excellent as cut flowers and in dried arrangements. This China native, first introduced to gardeners in the 1950's, is a terrific butterfly and bee attractor.

The succulent plant favors full sun but adapts to partial shade and tolerates most soil types provided drainage is good.

The thick green foliage stores water enabling sedum to sustain itself during drought. The plant is disease and rabbit resistant too.

Multiply your blessings with stem cuttings and root division in spring to mid-summer. Autumn Joy becharms throughout its growing season in plant hardiness zones 3-9.

Arlene Marturano is a master gardener, writer, and educator. As an advocate of gardening as a tool for learning, she helped develop the Carolina Children's Garden at the Sandhill Research and Education Center. She is an education consultant with T.E.A.C.H. marturano@yahoo.com