Night Embers Stonecrop

Night Embers Stonecrop (Sedum x 'Night Embers')

Night Embers Stonecrop delivers dramatic, near-black foliage that holds its color through summer and gives sunny beds a bold, modern edge. Its upright, vase-like habit stays strong and tidy, adding structure that looks intentional even before it blooms. In late summer into fall, mauve-pink flower clusters rise above deep red stems and become a reliable pollinator stop when the garden needs it most. With sun and sharp drainage, it offers high contrast and late-season payoff with minimal fuss.

Distinctive Features

This upright stonecrop is prized for its semi-glossy, black-purple succulent leaves and deep red stems that create strong contrast from early in the season. Flower clusters appear from late summer into fall in light mauve-pink tones, sitting above the foliage for a clean, ember-like finish. The habit remains notably vertical and composed, helping the plant avoid flopping in the right conditions. Dried flower heads can be left for extended texture into fall and early winter.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for the darkest foliage color and the strongest, most upright growth.
• Soil: Plant in well-drained soil, including sandy or gravelly sites, and avoid consistently wet conditions.
• Water: Water to establish, then provide low to moderate water, letting soil dry between waterings.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 24 to 26 inches tall and spreads 24 to 26 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use a small grouping as a foliage focal point where the black-purple leaves can anchor a sunny border.
• Borders: Plant in sunny borders to add vertical structure and late-season bloom without crowding nearby plants.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts for a bold, unified block of dark foliage and fall color.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Fit it into fast-draining beds where drought-tolerant perennials perform best.
• Pollinator Gardens: Include to support bees and butterflies during the late-summer to fall bloom window.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Leave flower heads for fall and winter texture, then cut back stems in late winter to early spring before new growth starts.
• Fertilizing: Avoid heavy feeding, because lean soils help maintain sturdy stems and compact growth.
• Watering: Once established, water only during extended drought, because overwatering can weaken growth.
• Drainage: Improve drainage with grit or raised beds in heavier soils to reduce crown and root issues.
• Spacing: Provide airflow and room for the clump to mature to help keep foliage clean and stems strong.

Why Choose Night Embers Stonecrop?

• Dark Foliage Drama: Black-purple leaves deliver bold contrast from spring through fall.
• Late-Season Bloom: Mauve-pink flower clusters extend color from late summer into fall.
• Upright Form: Vase-like, vertical growth adds structure and stays composed in sunny beds.
• Waterwise Performance: Succulent growth handles heat and short dry spells well once established in well-drained soil.
• Lower Browsing Pressure: Foliage is often less appealing to deer and rabbits than many soft-leaved perennials.

Night Embers Stonecrop is an easy way to add high-contrast foliage and a dependable late-season finish to sunny, well-drained landscapes. Pair it with ornamental grasses, golden foliage companions, or fall bloomers to make the dark leaves and mauve blooms stand out. With sun and drainage, it stays strong, striking, and reliable year after year.