SunSparkler Plum Dazzled Stonecrop

SunSparkler Plum Dazzled Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre 'Plum Dazzled')

SunSparkler Plum Dazzled Stonecrop brings dramatic, dark foliage to sunny beds and keeps that color looking strong through the heat of summer. Its compact, mounded habit stays tidy and composed, making borders and edges look finished without constant attention. In late summer, raspberry-pink flower clusters add a bright bloom finish and attract pollinators when many perennials start to fade. With sharp drainage and sensible watering, it is an easy, waterwise perennial that performs year after year.

Distinctive Features

This stonecrop is prized for foliage that emerges gray-blue in spring and deepens to very dark purple-black by mid to late summer for bold, high-contrast color. The plant forms a dense, well-branched mound with short, sturdy stems that resist flopping. From late summer into early fall, broad clusters of raspberry-pink flowers sit above the foliage for weeks, adding long-lasting color and texture. The combination of dark leaves and bright blooms makes it especially effective in modern, clean-lined plantings.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for the darkest foliage color, tight growth, and best flowering.
• Soil: Well-drained soil is essential, and sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils are ideal.
• Water: Water to establish, then provide low to moderate water, allowing soil to dry between waterings.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 8 to 10 inches tall and spreads about 16 to 18 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use a small grouping as a low focal point where the dark foliage can anchor a sunny bed and the raspberry blooms can finish the season.
• Edging: Plant along paths and bed fronts for a clean, compact border with standout color.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Tuck into fast-draining sites where drought-tolerant plants and strong contrast matter.
• Mass Planting: Plant in drifts for a bold sweep of dark foliage followed by late-season bloom.
• Containers: Grow in well-drained containers to highlight the foliage color and keep summer to fall interest close to patios and entries.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Shear lightly after flowering or cut back in late winter to early spring before new growth starts.
• Fertilizing: Avoid heavy feeding, because lean soils help maintain compact growth and stronger stems.
• Watering: Once established, water during extended drought, but avoid frequent irrigation that keeps soil wet.
• Mulching: Use a thin gravel top-dress if desired and keep the crown from staying wet to reduce rot risk.
• Spacing: Provide airflow and room to spread to help keep foliage clean and the mound uniform.

Why Choose SunSparkler Plum Dazzled Stonecrop?

• Dark Foliage Impact: Purple-black leaves deliver bold contrast from summer into fall.
• Long Bloom Window: Raspberry-pink flower clusters provide weeks of late-season color.
• Compact, Sturdy Habit: Dense growth and short stems help it stay neat without flopping.
• Waterwise Performance: Handles heat and short dry spells well once established in well-drained soil.
• Reliable Garden Health: Often performs with fewer common foliar issues when grown in sun and sharp drainage.

SunSparkler Plum Dazzled Stonecrop is an easy way to add high-contrast foliage and a dependable late-season finish to sunny, well-drained plantings. Pair it with ornamental grasses, silver foliage plants, or golden companions to make the dark leaves stand out even more. Give it sun and drainage, and it will stay compact, colorful, and reliable.