The indispensable assistant in landscape design - stonecrop white

Many gardeners grow in the garden areas Sedum white - a modest but effective plant with thick fleshy leaves and white star-shaped flowers, forming a dense low carpet. Often it is used in landscape design.

Stonecrop white is often called white moss. However, he has nothing to do with mosses. What kind of plant is it, where it grows and in what conditions you will learn in our article. We will talk about its features and healing properties. You can also watch a useful video on this topic.

Description

Botanical characteristics and appearance

Stonecrop white (Sedum album) - one of the many species of the genus Stonecrop, or Sedum (lat. Sedum). In total, according to various sources, the genus has 400-600 species and is part of the Tolstyankov family. Stonecrop is succulent, that is, it is able to accumulate liquid in the leaves, therefore it tolerates drought well.

The species name Stonecrop received white for the white color of the flowers. In nature, this evergreen plant is found in Europe, North Africa, West Asia and Siberia, later it was brought to North America (USA and Canada). He loves dry stony soils, in the wild it grows in crevices of rocks and even, like moss, on the walls of houses. For this he is called white moss.

The stem is short, densely covered with juicy cylindrical leaves with a blunt tip, arranged alternately. In the dry season, the leaves may partially pink. Closer to the flowering period, short semi-creeping stems are straightened and extended. Stonecrop flowers collected in semi-umbrellas.

We recommend watching a video about the features of the appearance of white stonecrop:

Similar plants

A number of plants resembling stonecrop are grown in culture. As a rule, these are also succulents.

1. A close relative of the stonecrop - fat girl, which gave the name to the family to which both plants belong. The oval sphincter has long settled on window sills as an ornamental and medicinal plant. For the leaves, shaped like coins, it is called the "money tree." The Tolstyankov family also includes young, or tenacious. The light green rosettes of the sharp fleshy leaves themselves resemble a flower, therefore the young frog is also called the "stone rose".
2. A bit like stonecrop saxifrage. This genus of undersized herbaceous plants from the Kamnelomkov family has more than four hundred species, some of which are also succulents. Like stonecrop, saxifrage grows on stony soils and in clefts of rocks (hence the name), the color of the flowers, depending on the species and variety, can vary from white to bright red.
3. Euphorbia myrtifolia from the family Euphorbia of the family Euphorbia also loves rocky soil. It is a creeping plant with a stem densely dotted with leaves. He prefers a warm climate and is usually grown in the southern regions.
4. Another succulent that can be found in the country - bacopa from the Podorozhnikov family. It resembles stonecrop with a creeping stem and juicy small leaves, but, unlike it, loves moist, marshy soil. In nature, various species of bacopa are found in tropical and subtropical regions; in a temperate climate, Bacopa speciosa "Snowflake" is usually grown.

Growing conditions

Accustomed to manage with a minimum amount of moisture and nutrients, stonecrop is not demanding on growing conditions. The main thing to remember is that stonecrop does not like shade and does not tolerate excess moisture. Stonecrop can live in one place for an average of 5 years, then begins to degenerate, so regular transplantation is necessary.

Medical use

Important: Do not self-medicate. Before using any means of traditional medicine, a doctor's consultation is necessary. Take Sedum white, like other types of stonecrop, it is necessary with caution, since its juice is poisonous.

To obtain a medicine, it is necessary to cut flowering plants, grind and dry. The drying area should be well ventilated. The resulting material can be used, for example, for the treatment of rheumatism. To do this, pour 3 tablespoons of dried stonecrop with boiling water, wrap it in gauze and attach to a sore spot.

In the same way, a mixture is prepared to reduce warts and calluses. Drugs that have a diuretic and laxative effect are also made from stonecrop. Probably, the stonecrop got its name for this cleansing effect (from the Ukrainian “purifications”).

We recommend watching a video about the use of whitecrop in medicine:

Different varieties with photos

Breeders have bred many varieties of white stonecrop. Here are just a few of them.

Coral Carpet (Coral Carpet)

It was named for its resemblance to coral and for its red-coral coloration, which the leaves acquire by autumn. Summer Coral Carpet stonecrop leaves light green with red tips. White flowers are collected in scutes.

Atom

The leaves are hemispherical, flat from above, blush in the bright summer sun.

Laconicum

Fairly tall plants. The leaves are thick, densely sitting. Like the Atoum variety, the leaves may turn red.

Rubrifolium

Rubrifolium arose as a result of a mutation Stonecrop White Wall. The leaves of this variety are dark green in winter, and in summer they turn bright red without brown tones.

Faro Forms

This is the lowest growing stonecrop variety; its height does not exceed 1 cm. Inflorescences are also short. The length of the leaves reaches no more than 3 mm. In bright sunshine this stonecrop turns red, then the color turns brown.

Hillebrandti

Large variety with green leaves. In summer, they acquire an orange-red color and even in winter they can retain a pinkish tint.

Care

Unpretentious rocky succulent prefers poor and loamy soils. They grow it, as a rule, not for the sake of flowers (although they are fragrant and attract bees well), but for decorative leaves that look good on lawns and alpine slides. Therefore, it is recommended to cut off the inflorescences so as not to disturb the appearance of the carpet.

Tip: The lawn must be weeded regularly, as the stonecrop may stall under the pressure of weeds. But watering is almost not required - only in the first time after planting and during periods of drought.

Breeding

Propagation of stonecrop:

• by seeds;
• cuttings;
• division of the bush.

During seed propagation (mainly used by breeders), seedlings with two leaves should be planted on the street. When propagated by seeds, stonecrops often lose varietal propertiestherefore gardeners prefer other methods.

Landing

Planting stonecrop is easiest in spring. It is necessary to dig shoots into clean land and cut off the aerial part. For a transplant that needs to be done every 3-6 years, the bush needs to be completely dug up and cut, then the slices should be dried in a shady place for several hours. Only after this can you begin to plant the bush.

Content Features

Stonecrop does not present any particular difficulties.. However, for planting, you should always choose sunny and dry places. In the shade, the stems stretch, violating the decorative appearance of the carpet. With high humidity, the stonecrop is sick, and snails and slugs can attack it.

Conclusion

Stonecrop white is a great decoration for any lawn or alpine hill. Using varieties with red, orange and brown leaves, you can create contrasting spots. The medicinal properties of stonecrop are another argument for planting this perennial plant in your garden. Follow the simple rules of care, and for many years, stonecrop will be pleasing to the eye and help in the treatment of diseases.

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