Some plants sulk in a dry summer. Sedum reflexum 'Silver' does the opposite, its narrow leaves turning a paler, more frosted grey the hotter and drier it gets. It is the reflexed stonecrop to reach for when you are planting gravel, walls or a sun-baked corner where watering is a chore.
The RHS records this plant only as an informal silver-leaved form of Sedum rupestre, without cultivar measurements, so the sizes below come from the species. This guide covers dry-garden planting, getting it into walls and crevices, soil, watering, winter, propagation and the silver planting schemes it suits best.
Sedum reflexum 'Silver' at a glance
- Botanical name Petrosedum rupestre silver-leaved form, listed by the RHS as Sedum rupestre silver-leaved, sold as Sedum reflexum 'Silver'
- Common name Silver reflexed stonecrop
- Plant type Evergreen, mat-forming succulent perennial
- Hardiness RHS H5 for the species (down to about -15 to -10°C)
- Height and spread No cultivar figures published, species guide of about 10 to 15cm in leaf with flower stems to 15cm, spreading 30 to 40cm
- Flowering Yellow star-shaped flowers on upright stems in summer
- Foliage Fine, pointed silver-grey leaves, most silvery in hot dry weather
- Position Full sun, tolerates very light shade
- Soil Poor, stony, sharply drained soil, neutral to alkaline
- Good for Gravel gardens, dry stone walls, paving cracks, coastal and low-water planting
A stonecrop built for drought
Reflexed stonecrop grows wild on rocks, old walls and sandy ground across much of Europe, and the silver form keeps that toughness. Its fleshy, waxy leaves lose little water, which makes it one of the best sedums for dry, free-draining sites in the east of England.
The waxy coating that gives the silver colour also reflects sunlight, so it rarely scorches. Where the Blue Spruce form looks crisp and the golden forms look warm, this one has a soft, misty quality that blends with stone and gravel.
Planting in walls and crevices
Silver reflexed stonecrop roots happily into tiny pockets of soil, which makes it ideal for softening hard surfaces. Small rooted pieces establish faster than large pot-grown plants in tight spaces.
- Scrape a little old mortar or soil from a wall joint and pack in gritty compost.
- Wrap the roots of a small plant in damp compost and press it firmly into the gap.
- Mist the spot every few days for the first month until roots grip.
- Use the same method for cracks between paving or the edges of steps.
Making a gravel garden with it
In a gravel bed it forms low silver pools between taller drought-tolerant plants. Prepare the ground by removing perennial weeds, loosening the soil and mixing in grit, then plant directly into the soil before spreading 5cm of gravel around the stems.
Plant groups of three to five about 30cm apart so they knit together. Good gravel partners include sea holly, nepeta and ornamental grasses, all of which share its liking for lean soil.
Soil that stays lean and sharp
The poorer the soil, the better the silver. Rich, moist ground produces greener, looser growth that is more likely to rot. Sandy and chalky soils are ideal, and heavy clay needs raised planting or plenty of grit and gravel worked in.
Avoid adding manure or compost to the planting hole. In containers, a mix of half grit and half peat-free compost works well.
Water once, then leave it
Give new plants a good soak at planting and again weekly for a few weeks if the weather is dry. After that, ground-grown plants should manage on rainfall alone. Wall plants may need an occasional splash during their first summer only.
Overwatering is the most common mistake with silver sedums, so if in doubt, do not water.
A plant in a small pot is the exception. Shallow compost dries out quickly in July and August, so check it weekly and soak it when the leaves start to look slightly wrinkled, then let it drain.
Winter, wind and wet
The species is rated RHS H5, hardy in most of the UK even in severe winters. Wind and salt spray do little harm, so it is a useful plant for exposed and coastal gardens.
Winter wet is the real risk. Walls and gravel are naturally well drained, which is one reason the plant does so well in them. On flat beds, a gravel mulch stops the leaves resting on cold, damp soil.
Spreading it around the garden
Once you have one plant you can have dozens. Snip shoot tips about 5cm long from spring to late summer and push them into gritty compost, or straight into wall gaps and gravel, where they root in a few weeks.
Older mats can be divided in spring. Trim off flower stems after flowering to keep the silver carpet tidy, or leave them a while for visiting bees.
Silver planting partners and problems
Grey and silver leaves make a calm, light-reflecting scheme. Try it with lavender, artemisia, Stachys byzantina, blue fescue and sempervivums, adding purple alliums or verbena for summer colour. You will find many more ideas among our drought-tolerant plants.
Problems are few. Rot follows waterlogging, vine weevil can damage potted plants, and birds may pull at newly planted crevice pieces. The species is generally regarded as low risk to pets and children.
Questions about Sedum reflexum 'Silver'
Will Sedum reflexum Silver grow in a wall?
Yes, it is one of the best sedums for walls. Pack small rooted pieces into joints with a little gritty compost and keep them damp for a few weeks until they root.
How do I keep silver sedum silver?
Grow it in full sun on poor, sharply drained soil and do not feed it. Shade, rich soil and overwatering all make the foliage greener.
Is silver reflexed stonecrop different from Blue Spruce?
They are forms of the same species. Blue Spruce has bolder blue-grey, upright shoots, while the silver form is paler and finer, ideal for gravel and walls.
Does Sedum reflexum Silver need watering in summer?
Established plants in the ground rarely need watering, even in a dry UK summer. Water only plants in their first season or those in small pots.
Silver reflexed stonecrop is grown on our farm in Metheringham, where dry east coast summers show just how little it needs. See it and its relatives in the sedum collection.