Blue Moon Stonecrop

Blue Moon Stonecrop (Sedum reflexum 'Blue Moon')

Blue Moon Stonecrop is a low, fast-covering sedum that adds cool, silvery-blue color to sunny gardens with minimal effort. Its dense, needle-like foliage forms a tidy mat that helps fill gaps, soften edges, and keep beds looking finished. In summer, bright yellow flowers rise above the foliage and bring pollinators into the planting. Once established, it is well suited to hot, dry spots where many perennials struggle.

Distinctive Features

This mat-forming stonecrop is prized for its blue to blue-gray succulent foliage that stays crisp and textural through the growing season and can take on subtle pink tones in colder weather. Short, trailing stems root as they spread, creating a dense carpet over time. In early to mid-summer, clusters of small, star-shaped yellow flowers appear above the foliage, offering a clean, high-contrast look and strong pollinator appeal. The overall habit remains compact and refined in well-drained soil and full sun.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for best color and tight growth, with partial sun tolerated.
• 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 4 to 6 inches tall and spreads 12 to 18 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use a concentrated patch as a low focal point where the blue foliage can pop against stone, mulch, or darker plants.
• Groundcover: Mass plant to create a dense mat that fills gaps and helps suppress weeds in sunny beds.
• Rock Gardens: Tuck into rock and gravel gardens where sharp drainage and heat reflectance are common.
• Edging: Line paths and bed fronts for a clean, low border with fine, conifer-like texture.
• Walls and Slopes: Plant along stone walls or dry slopes where it can spread and lightly cascade over edges.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Shear lightly after flowering or in early spring to refresh growth and keep edges crisp.
• Fertilizing: Avoid heavy feeding, because lean soils help maintain compact growth and strong color.
• Mulching: Use a thin gravel top-dress if desired and keep crowns from staying wet.
• Watering: Do not overwater, and reduce irrigation once established to prevent weak growth.
• Propagation: Expand plantings easily by re-rooting small stem pieces in well-drained soil.

Why Choose Blue Moon Stonecrop?

• Blue Foliage: Silvery-blue needles add cool color and fine texture that pairs well with almost any palette.
• Summer Flowers: Yellow blooms provide bright contrast and pollinator value in early to mid-summer.
• Waterwise Performance: Succulent growth tolerates heat and dry spells once established in well-drained soil.
• Easy Coverage: Spreading, rooting stems create a dense mat that helps unify plantings and fill gaps.
• Browsing Resistance: Foliage is often less appealing to deer than many soft-leaved perennials.

Blue Moon Stonecrop is a dependable choice for sunny, fast-draining areas where you want lasting color and a clean, finished look without added maintenance. Pair it with ornamental grasses, drought-tolerant perennials, or darker foliage plants to highlight its blue tones. Give it sun and drainage, and it will reward you with durable coverage and seasonal bloom year after year.