Munstead Dark Red Stonecrop

Munstead Dark Red Stonecrop (Sedum telephium 'Munstead Dark Red')

Munstead Dark Red Stonecrop is a classic, upright perennial that brings strong structure and late-season color to sunny beds when many plants begin to fade. Its sturdy red-tinged stems and refined, succulent foliage add contrast long before the flowers open. From late summer into fall, broad flower heads deepen the display in rich rose to crimson tones and pull in bees and butterflies. With good drainage, it handles heat and short dry spells well and keeps borders looking composed.

Distinctive Features

This clump-forming stonecrop grows as a tidy mound of upright stems topped with domed, then flattened flower clusters in late summer to fall. The foliage is thick and fleshy, typically gray-green to dark green with a purple cast, and it is often paired with reddish stems for added contrast. Flower clusters open in deep pink to crimson-rose tones and can remain attractive as they age and dry, extending seasonal texture. It is a reliable performer for sunny landscapes where you want long-lasting interest with minimal inputs.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for sturdy stems, best color, and the most abundant flowering, with light shade tolerated.
• Soil: Plant in average, well-drained soil and avoid heavy, consistently wet conditions.
• Water: Water to establish, then provide dry to medium moisture, letting soil dry between waterings.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 18 to 24 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a small group as a late-season focal point where the dark flower heads can anchor a sunny border.
• Borders: Use in sunny borders to add upright structure and a dependable bloom finish from late summer into fall.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts for a bold, unified display of stems, foliage, and late-season flowers.
• Pollinator Gardens: Include to support bees and butterflies during a valuable end-of-season window.
• Cut and Dried Flowers: Harvest blooms for arrangements or leave heads to dry on the plant for longer seasonal texture.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Leave flower heads for fall and winter interest, then cut back stems in late winter to early spring before new growth starts.
• Fertilizing: Avoid heavy feeding, because rich soil can encourage softer growth and reduce stem strength.
• Staking: Staking is rarely needed in full sun with well-drained soil, but shelter from strong wind can help in exposed sites.
• Watering: Once established, water only during extended drought to maintain vigor and bloom quality.
• Drainage: Improve drainage with grit or raised beds in heavier soils to reduce crown and root issues.

Why Choose Munstead Dark Red Stonecrop?

• Late-Season Color: Deep rose to crimson flower heads extend garden color from late summer into fall.
• Strong Structure: Upright stems provide dependable form and keep borders looking composed.
• Foliage Contrast: Gray-green to dark green leaves with a purple cast pair well with reddish stems for season-long interest.
• Waterwise Performance: Succulent growth handles heat and short dry spells well once established in well-drained soil.
• Pollinator Value: Flower clusters attract bees and butterflies when late-season forage matters most.

Munstead Dark Red Stonecrop is an easy way to bring structure, contrast, and long-lasting late-season bloom to sunny, well-drained plantings. Pair it with ornamental grasses and fall bloomers to build a layered finish that looks intentional into autumn. With sun and drainage, it stays reliable, tidy, and low maintenance year after year.