Crimson stonecrop 'Schorbuser Blut' Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut'
ABOUT
'Schorbuser Blut' is a mat-forming evergreen perennial to 10cm in height, with fleshy, obovate, purple-tinged leaves and flat clusters of small, starry deep reddish-pink flowers in late summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Crassulaceae
Synonyms
Dragon's Blood Stonecrop, Schorbuser Blut Stonecrop, Dragon's Blood Sedum, Two-Row Stonecrop
Common names
Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Succulent
Hardiness zones
3-9
Native area
Caucasus
Benefits
General Benefits- Low Maintenance: Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut', also known as Dragon's Blood Stonecrop, requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance landscaping.
- Drought Tolerant: This succulent is highly drought-resistant, which makes it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and arid climate gardens.
- Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, helping to support local ecosystems.
- Ground Cover: Its mat-forming habit makes it effective at covering large areas, reducing weed growth, and preventing soil erosion.
- Year-Round Interest: With its colorful foliage that changes through the seasons and bright flowers in summer, it provides visual interest throughout the year.
- Cold Hardy: Capable of withstanding colder temperatures, it's suitable for a variety of climates and can survive winter in many regions.
- Easy Propagation: The plant can be easily propagated from cuttings or leaves, allowing gardeners to spread it throughout their garden or share with others.
- Edible Qualities: Some parts of the plant are edible and can be used in salads or as garnishes, though they are not widely consumed.
- Versatile Use: It's suitable for rock gardens, borders, containers, and as a part of green roofs due to its adaptable nature.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Its striking red-tinted foliage and star-shaped flowers offer a unique and dramatic visual appeal to garden and landscape designs.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut' can be used as a living mulch beneath taller plants, helping to keep the soil moist and preventing weeds from growing.
- The plant's dense mats serve as a natural erosion control on slopes or in areas where ground cover is needed to stabilize soil.
- With its vivid colors, it's used in landscape design to create visually striking patterns and borders along pathways or between pavers.
- The plant is suitable for xeriscaping, which is a landscaping method that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.
- Often utilized in green roofing, Schorbuser Blut can endure harsh rooftop conditions while providing insulation and reducing stormwater runoff.
- It's used in container gardens and hanging baskets for its low maintenance and trailing growth habit, adding texture and color diversity to the arrangement.
- Dragon's Blood Sedum is employed in butterfly gardens, as it attracts a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees, when it blooms.
- Gardeners can use this succulent for crafting, such as living wreaths or wall art, due to its durability and minimal water requirements.
- The plant is often used in fairy gardens or miniature garden settings because its small scale and colorful foliage complement the whimsical themes and designs.
- Dragon's Blood Sedum can be used as a ground cover around the base of bird baths or garden statues, where it provides a contrasting backdrop that highlights the features of the garden decor.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiDragon's Blood Sedum is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityDragon's Blood Sedum is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Persistence: The Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut', also known as Dragon's Blood Stonecrop, is a hardy plant that thrives in tough conditions. Its ability to persist in poor soil and withstand drought symbolizes resilience and determination.
- Strength: This plant's robust nature and ability to spread over rocks and other harsh landscapes symbolize inner strength and the capability to overcome obstacles.
- Vitality: With its vibrant red foliage, Dragon's Blood Stonecrop represents life force and vitality, as it brings color and energy to gardens.
- Healing: Historically, some Sedum species have been used in traditional medicine. This gives Dragon's Blood Stonecrop an association with healing and restoration.
- Protection: The dense mat that Sedum spurium forms can be seen as a symbol of protective cover, safeguarding the underlying soil from erosion and providing a habitat for beneficial insects.
WaterDragon's Blood Sedum requires moderate watering, especially when it's getting established in the first year. After it is established, the plant is quite drought-tolerant and prefers drier conditions. It should be watered deeply but infrequently, as over-watering can lead to root rot. During active growth in the spring and summer, watering approximately once every two weeks with about 0.25 gallons per square foot should suffice, depending on the local climate and weather conditions. During the winter dormant period, water only sparingly, reducing to once a month if there is no natural precipitation.
LightDragon's Blood Sedum thrives in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. The best light conditions for healthy growth are at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. An optimal spot would be in a south-facing garden or on a bright sunny slope where it can receive abundant sunshine throughout the day.
TemperatureDragon's Blood Sedum is cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for many climates. However, it thrives in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum temperature this plant can handle without stress can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is ideally grown in an environment where temperatures do not fluctuate drastically, maintaining a moderate range that promotes steady growth.
PruningDragon's Blood Sedum benefits from pruning to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove dead or damaged stems. Pruning is best done in early spring before new growth starts, or just after the plant finishes flowering. If the plant becomes leggy or overgrown, pruning can help rejuvenate the plant's appearance. Removing flower stems after blooming encourages the plant to focus energy on vegetative growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDragon's Blood Sedum thrives in poor to average, well-draining soil with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. A good soil mix for this plant would include a base of potting soil amended with sand, perlite, or gravel to enhance drainage. Regular garden soil can also be used if mixed with compost and gritty material to prevent waterlogging.
RepottingDragon's Blood Sedum is a low-maintenance plant that does not require frequent repotting. It can be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its container. Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage holes and use the aforementioned soil mix recipe when repotting.
Humidity & MistingDragon's Blood Sedum prefers a dry climate and is tolerant of low humidity conditions. It thrives in environments that mimic its native, rocky habitats, so excessive humidity is not necessary and can be detrimental to the plant's health.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use a well-draining pot and place in bright light.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; drought tolerant.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleSedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut', commonly known as Dragon's Blood Stonecrop, starts its life cycle as a seed that germinates in spring when the soil temperature warms up. The seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with succulent foliage, which spreads out to form a low-growing, mat-forming perennial. Throughout spring and summer, it grows vigorously and produces fleshy leaves that turn from green to deep red, giving it the appearance of 'blood'. By midsummer, the plant reaches maturity and produces clusters of star-shaped pink flowers which attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. After blooming, the Dragon's Blood Stonecrop sets seeds which can be dispersed to produce new plants, continuing its life cycle. As a hardy plant, it can survive through winter dormancy, especially in its preferred climate zones of 3 through 9, and will resume growth the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Sedum spurium 'Schorbuser Blut', commonly known as Dragon's Blood Stonecrop, is through leaf cuttings or division. You can easily propagate this succulent in spring or early summer by gently twisting a leaf from the stem, ensuring that part of the stem is attached to the leaf. Place the leaf cutting on well-draining soil and refrain from watering it until roots have formed, which typically takes a few weeks. During this time, the soil should be kept slightly moist, but not waterlogged. For division, simply dig up a clump of the plant, separate it into smaller sections, ensuring each has roots attached, and replant them in the desired location. This method helps to create instant, fuller growth in your garden.
