'Autumn Joy' - My Fall Favorite

'Autumn Joy' in my rock garden

'Autumn Joy' Sedum couldn't be better named.  I get a thrill inside every time I spy one while driving around town.  They are my very favorite fall-blooming herbaceous perennial.  The succulent foliage is quite attractive in the garden all summer long, but by the end of August and into September when the blooms come on it is absolutely stunning.  Linda has it planted next to purple Russian Sage in her City View Dr. yard, and I really like that combination.  I've got plants all over my yard, but my largest and most brilliant ones are in my rock garden and my drought tolerant park strip garden.  It does best in full sun but can be planted in part sun also.

'Autumn Joy' in my park strip

Autumn Joy is the perfect plant for Uinta County gardeners who want to keep garden interest in the fall when many summer perennials are starting to fade.  It is hardy to Zone 3, drought tolerant and it doesn't take over.  I've read that it is deer resistant, but I've heard a few rumors that deer do like it.  However, I've never had any of mine eaten and I often get the night visitors in my yard.  Maybe I just have too many other things they like for them to bother with the Autumn Joy. 

All of my plants are from divisions and root cuttings.  The root cuttings were quite informal and really just a chance discovery.  I found a bunch of root pieces in the pot that my mom brought me with a couple of divisions in it.  I went ahead and buried the pieces of root around my yard that fall.  The next summer I had little Autumn Joy starts all over my yard.  Most of these root cutting plants are very small because the root pieces were tiny.  If you use a larger chunk of root, you'll get a bigger plant.

Linda's 'Autumn Joy' with Russian Sage

I've read that Autumn Joy comes with different flower and foliage colors.  My favorite is the one in my pictures.  I do have one plant with a lighter pink flower, but it just doesn't give me the same thrill.  So if you are picky, you might want to get a division from a plant that you like or buy one from a nursery when it is in bloom so you know what you're getting.

Here in Uinta County we try to extend the gardening season as long as possible so we don't get bogged down too early in the long-winter blues.  I recommend 'Autumn Joy' Sedum be your first choice for a late season garden.

by Sara