Kamchatka Stonecrop

Kamchatka Stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum 'Kamtschaticum')

Kamchatka Stonecrop is a tough, low-growing groundcover that quickly fills sunny spaces with clean texture and dependable coverage. It handles heat, lean soils, and short dry spells once established, making it a practical choice for low-input landscapes. In summer, bright yellow flowers add a cheerful color layer and draw pollinators into the garden. Use it to soften hard edges and keep beds looking finished without constant maintenance.

Distinctive Features

This stonecrop forms a dense, spreading mat of fleshy, deep green leaves with a tidy, ground-hugging habit. Clusters of star-shaped yellow flowers bloom through summer, creating a bright, long-lasting display above the foliage. As temperatures cool, foliage can pick up red or bronze tones, extending seasonal interest beyond bloom. Its durable growth makes it well suited to rocky sites and other places where many groundcovers struggle.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for dense growth and flowering, with light shade tolerated.
• Soil: Plant in well-drained soil, including sandy, gravelly, or rocky sites, and avoid consistently wet conditions.
• Water: Water to establish, then provide low to medium moisture, allowing soil to dry between waterings once established.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 3 to 7 inches tall and spreads 12 to 18 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use a broad patch as a low focal point where the summer yellow flowers can brighten a sunny bed.
• Groundcover: Mass plant to form a dense mat that fills gaps and helps suppress weeds.
• Rock Gardens: Tuck into rock and gravel gardens where sharp drainage and reflected heat are common.
• Edging: Line paths and bed fronts for a clean, low border with tidy texture.
• Walls and Slopes: Plant along stone edges or dry banks where it can spread and soften hard lines.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Shear lightly after flowering or in early spring to refresh growth and keep the mat dense.
• Fertilizing: Avoid heavy feeding, because lean soils help maintain compact growth and stronger flowering.
• Watering: Reduce irrigation once established, because overwatering can lead to weaker growth and crown issues.
• Mulching: Use a thin gravel top-dress if desired and keep crowns from staying wet.
• Propagation: Expand plantings easily by division or by re-rooting small stem pieces in well-drained soil.

Why Choose Kamchatka Stonecrop?

• Bright Summer Bloom: Yellow, star-shaped flowers add dependable color and support pollinators.
• Tough Site Fit: Thrives in rocky, lean, fast-draining soils where many plants struggle.
• Tidy Coverage: Dense, spreading growth fills gaps neatly and helps keep beds looking finished.
• Waterwise Performance: Succulent growth handles heat and short dry spells well once established.
• Lower Browsing Pressure: Often shows good resistance to deer and rabbits in many landscapes.

Kamchatka Stonecrop is an easy way to add durable coverage and summer color to sunny, well-drained areas. Pair it with ornamental grasses, other drought-tolerant perennials, or stonework to create a clean, low-maintenance planting that holds up in tough conditions. With sun and drainage, it stays compact, resilient, and dependable year after year.