The Beautiful and Hardy Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’ Green Pink

Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’ Green Pink is a gorgeous and resilient perennial plant that makes an excellent addition to any garden. With its attractive foliage and flowers, this sedum brings visual interest and texture to the landscape. In this article, we’ll discuss the origins, features, care, and uses for this versatile plant.

Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’ is a cultivar of the species Sedum telephium, which is also called autumn stonecrop or orpine. It is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial that is hardy to zone 3 and thrives in full sun to part shade exposure.

This particular cultivar was bred by Chris Hansen in Denmark. It emerges in spring with succulent rounded leaves in a deep pinkish-red color As the season progresses, the older leaves fade to green while new growth remains reddish. The foliage forms a neat, tight mat reaching 4-6 inches tall and spreading 12-18 inches wide

One of the key features of Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’ is the flower heads that emerge in late summer. The buds open to plump star-shaped flowers in a unique bicolor pattern – green petals with pink tips. These flowers continue blooming into the fall. Their nectar and pollen attract bees butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden.

In addition to its ornamental merits in the landscape, this sedum has a number of other positive attributes. It has few pest or disease problems. Deer and rabbit resistant. And it is drought, heat, and cold tolerant once established. The compact habit also works well for containers, trough gardens, green roofs, and rock gardens.

The Origins of Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’

Sedum telephium is native to Central and Southern Europe in the mountainous regions. With over 30 different species, sedums are a diverse group of succulents in the Crassulaceae family. They are popular garden plants thanks to their hardiness, low-maintenance care, and adaptability to various soils and climates.

The species Sedum telephium has been grown in gardens since at least the 1600s. Over the centuries, many different varieties have been cultivated for their ornamental flowers and foliage. The sedum ‘Seduction’ is one of these improved varieties.

It was bred by the famous Dutch plantsman Chris Hansen, who owns a nursery in Boskoop, Netherlands called Hansen Nursery. He has introduced many new sedum hybrids and selections over the past decades.

‘Seduction’ resulted from crossing two other sedum cultivars – Sedum telephium ‘Munstead Dark Red’ and Sedum telephium ‘Xenox’. Hansen was seeking to develop a new variety with dark red spring foliage that transitions to green in summer, and bicolored pink and green blooms.

After several years of selection and trials, ‘Seduction’ was introduced to the nursery trade in 2010. It quickly became popular for its long season of interest and ease of care compared to other perennials.

Key Features of Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’

Some of the standout qualities that make ‘Seduction’ a top choice for gardens include:

• Colorful foliage – The leaves emerge in a deep reddish-pink color in spring, fading to green as they mature in summer. New growth remains pinkish, creating a nice contrast.

• Bicolor blooms – Star-shaped flower heads have unique green petals tipped in pink. They first appear in late summer and continue into the fall season.

• Compact habit -This sedum forms a tight mat, reaching just 4-6 inches tall but spreading up to 18 inches wide. It grows at a slow, controlled rate.

• Low maintenance – Once established, it is very drought tolerant and needs little watering, fertilizer, or pruning.

• Few pests – Rabbit and deer resistant. No serious problems with insects or diseases.

• Hardy – Tolerates cold winters and hot summers. Rated for USDA zones 3 to 9.

• Versatile – Works well in flower beds, rock gardens, borders, containers, green roofs, and beyond. Provides multi-season interest.

With its diversity of colors, compact habit, and environmental resilience, it’s easy to understand the appeal of Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’ for today’s gardens. The rest of this article will provide tips for using this perennial in your own landscape.

How to Grow and Care for Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’

Fortunately, growing this sedum cultivar is relatively simple compared to many other perennials. Here are some key tips for success:

Soil – Sedums are not too picky about soil type. ‘Seduction’ tolerates most average, well-draining soils. Sandy, loamy, or rocky soils are ideal. Just avoid overly wet, poorly draining sites. Adding compost when planting can help improve nutrient content.

Sun – For best growth and the reddest foliage color, provide a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day. Areas with morning sun and afternoon shade also work well. Too much shade will result in leggy, weaker growth.

Watering – Once established, this sedum requires very little irrigation except during extended summer dry spells. Drought tolerance makes it perfect for xeriscapes. Avoid overwatering, as excess moisture may cause root rot.

Fertilizer – Applying a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring can promote growth. But with proper soil prep, fertilizing is usually not necessary.

Pruning – This sedum remains tight and compact with little pruning needed. Trim off any damaged, dead, or unsightly growth as desired to keep it looking fresh.

Propagation – Sedum ‘Seduction’ is easily propagated by stem cuttings or division. Take 3-4 inch stem cuttings in summer, allow to callous, and place in well-draining potting mix.

Hardiness – Cold hardy to USDA zone 3. Heat and drought tolerant once established. Excellent resilience for seasonal shifts. Provide winter mulch in very cold climates.

Pest/disease – No serious problems. Occasionally aphids may appear but are not usually damaging. Avoid overwatering which can lead to rot and fungal issues.

For such an easy-care plant, it certainly provides ample rewards in the landscape! Proper siting and minimal care is all that is required to enjoy this sedum year after year.

How to Use Sedum telephium ‘Seduction’ in the Landscape

One of the best qualities of this sedum variety is its versatility in the garden. Here are some ideas for incorporating ‘Seduction’ into your landscape or containers:

• Plant as a groundcover or edging plant along paths, borders, and walkways. Allows foot traffic.

• Tuck into rock gardens, stone walls, alpine gardens, or xeriscapes for splash of color.

• Use as a lawn or turf alternative in small spaces that get light foot traffic.

• Feature in containers or hanging baskets for instant color and texture.

• Works beautifully as a facade green wall or vertical garden option.

• Underplant with bulbs like crocus or narcissus that emerge in spring before sedum fills in.

• Mix in crevice gardens planted between rocks and pavers to cascade over edges.

• Include in hypertufa troughs and succulent planters. Pairs nicely with sempervivums.

• Plant en masse as a groundcover on green roofs or hellstrips (traffic medians).

• Use along retaining walls, blank foundation walls, or soften corners of buildings.

• Combine in patio pots with ornamental grasses, herbs, annuals, and other perennials.

With some creativity and plant combinations, you can utilize this sedum in any number of garden settings. It plays well with many other plants and fits smaller spaces.

Notable Sedum telephium Varieties to Try

In addition to ‘Seduction’, some other noteworthy varieties of Sedum telephium to consider include:

• ‘Autumn Joy’ – The most common variety. Pink flowers fade to copper.

• ‘Postman’s Pride’ – Large heads of bright rosy purple flowers.

• ‘Xenox’ – Yellow-green leaves with tiny white star flowers.

• ‘Matrona’ – Pale pink blooms on purple-red stems. Grows taller.

• ‘Purpureum’ – Deep burgundy foliage all season long.

• ‘Red Cauli’ – Unique cauliflower-like red flower heads.

• ‘Bertram Anderson’ – Blue-gray leaves with pinkish white blooms.

There are also many hybrids and sedum species beyond just Sedum telephium that offer excellent ornamental