Covering ground

Rascally rabbits have done it again. Each time I walk past there are a few stems of several sedums that have been munched, not eaten but cut loose and sitting on the path. The loose pieces can be an inch or several, and I suppose I wouldn’t mind so much if parts of the sedums were eaten. At least a purpose would be served, but to maim the sedums and leave the evidence behind for no apparent reason is aggravating.

Fortunately, the damage to the vigorously growing sedums is hardly apparent once the debris is removed (above), so I have no immediate plans to discipline the bunnies, however that could be accomplished. Of course, I will not be dissuaded from planting additional sedums in sunny areas to cover bare ground.

I don’t think much about it, but there’s now a small collection of sedums that do a good job of keeping weeds down so fewer of my free hours are spent in labor. If I see one in the garden center that I like, I buy it, figuring there will always be a place to fit it in. They’re such an easy plant, not ever needing a bit of care when they’re planted in dry soil except for picking up debris that the rabbits leave behind.

There are several sedums that spread slowly in the rock gardens, but others (below) that are care free and faster growing.

‘Angelina’ sedum is a quick spreader. Pieces broken off will often root on damp soil.
‘Blue Spruce’ sedum does not grow to the same dense carpet as other sedums.
A brand name introduction hardly seems different from ‘Angelina’, but it serves the same purpose.
An unknown sedum creeps between stones in partial shade.

4 Comments Add yours

  1. Linus says:

    What is the aloe in the first picture? And have you tried sedum Atlantis?

    1. Dave says:

      The succulent in the photo is a mangave. I’ve planted several that I dig out in November to pot up to overwinter in the basement. There’s not much root to them, so even a few that are two feet across come out easily and fit into a three gallon pot. I might water them a time or two before I plant them outdoors in late April. As breeding of mangaves begins to cross with more cold hardy agaves I look forward to planting some and leaving them in the ground.

  2. Jeane says:

    I like those sedums you have, that look like fine young deciduous needles (at least to me). I only have one color variety, these are much more interesting! Especially like the ‘blue spruce’

    1. Dave says:

      I really like the look of Blue Spruce. I wish it was more robust. i don’t think it would do much to keep down weeds.

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