Sedum (hylotelephium) TOUCHDOWN™ 'Teak' orpine, ice plant

TOUCHDOWN™ Teak orpine will instantly catch your attention when passing by a bed with many orpine varieties. It has such a rich purple brown colour of leaves that remains deep and vibrant from spring till autumn. They are not very large - about 5-6 cm long, oval, deciduous. Flowers are produced atop 30-40 cm tall stems in late summer, usually from late August. They form umbrella-shaped, rather small inflorescence but in such profusion that the whole plant is covered with them. Individual flowers are star-shaped, and a mixture of beige, pink, red and pale burgundy red. Small seedpods are produced quickly after the flowers have faded, and show a very dark garnet red colour while the plant keeps on flowering from younger heads. Fertility is low and this orpine cannot self seed much.

Orpines are perfect plants for autumn borders. They add extra colour on an architecturally interesting plant. These perennials are easy to grow, they will like almost any well-drained soil, they do well in rockeries and outdoor pots (without saucer). Cut them back in early spring but be careful not to damage young buds at the ground. Let them dry out before next watering - excess water brings a danger of fungi diseases. Fully hardy to min. -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 29-12-2016