Pruning upright stonecrop
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Upright stonecrop here means tall, deciduous Hylotelephium, formerly called Sedum. Remove dead flower stems in spring; shortening in late May is only an option for plants prone to flopping. The months are a guide for gardens in the Netherlands and Belgium; growth stage and weather take priority.
Upright stonecrop — October
Check this first
Leave developing flower stems and later their firm dry flower heads. Cutting during bud formation removes flowers; clear dead winter stems as growth resumes next spring.
Pay attention to this
- This advice does not cover low evergreen Sedum mats.
- Do not break off fleshy young rosettes while removing dry stems.
- A May cut is optional and delays flowering; do not apply it late in summer.
Frequently asked questions
- Must the brown heads come off in autumn?
- No. They provide winter structure; remove them above the new rosettes as spring growth starts.
- How can I reduce flopping?
- Optional shortening of some stems in late May can help. Also check light levels and overly rich, wet soil.
- Is every Sedum an upright stonecrop?
- No. This record covers tall Hylotelephium; low sedums grow differently and should not routinely receive this cut.