Rock 'N Grow® 'Lemonjade' Autumn Stonecrop

The Rock 'N Grow® 'Lemonjade' Autumn Stonecrop is a perennial plant that embodies resilience and beauty in one package. Its medium stature allows it to fit seamlessly into various garden designs, reaching heights of 16 to 18 inches and spreading 26 to 28 inches wide. The foliage of this remarkable plant is a lush green, forming a clump that serves as a vibrant backdrop for its unique citron yellow flowers. These blossoms, which make their appearance in early fall, not only captivate the eye but also transition into rosy peach seed heads as the weather cools, ensuring visual interest even into the winter months.

This plant's ability to thrive in full sun and adapt to a range of soil types, from poor to average well-drained soils, underscores its easy-care nature. It is a testament to the 'Lemonjade's' versatility and durability, requiring minimal maintenance beyond the basic needs of sunlight and good drainage. Its water requirements are low, further emphasizing its drought tolerance and making it an ideal candidate for gardens in regions prone to dry spells.

The Rock 'N Grow® 'Lemonjade' Autumn Stonecrop, with its unique citron yellow blossoms and green foliage, offers a multitude of landscaping uses, making it a versatile choice for gardeners and landscape designers. Here are some of its most effective applications in a garden setting:

• Border Plant: Its compact and mounded growth habit makes it an excellent choice for garden borders, where its bright yellow flowers can create a striking contrast against the green backdrop of a garden. It adds structure and delineates spaces with its neat, clump-forming nature.
• Container Gardening: 'Lemonjade' is well-suited for container gardening, where its drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements shine. It can thrive in pots on patios, balconies, or decking areas, bringing a splash of fall color to these spaces.
• Cut Flower and Dried Flower: The vibrant citron yellow blossoms of 'Lemonjade' make beautiful cut flowers for indoor arrangements. Additionally, they can be dried for use in long-lasting floral displays, adding a touch of natural beauty indoors.
• Landscape Accent: Used as a focal point in the landscape, 'Lemonjade' can draw the eye with its unique coloring and compact form. It works well when planted in small groups or as a single specimen among other perennials.
• Mass Planting: For a dramatic display, 'Lemonjade' can be planted en masse to create a sea of yellow in the garden. This approach is particularly effective in larger landscapes or public gardens, where its fall flowering can provide a late-season highlight.
• Rock Gardens: Its drought tolerance and compact habit make 'Lemonjade' an ideal choice for rock gardens, where it can complement the textures and forms of stones and other succulents or alpine plants.
• Urban Gardens: For gardeners with limited space, 'Lemonjade' offers a solution with its small size and low maintenance needs. It can bring color and life to urban gardens, rooftop gardens, or small courtyard spaces.

In each of these uses, the Rock 'N Grow® 'Lemonjade' Autumn Stonecrop brings not only aesthetic appeal with its unique flower color and foliage but also practical benefits such as drought tolerance, ease of care, and attractiveness to pollinators. Whether used in a traditional garden setting, a modern landscape design, or a more utilitarian space like a xeriscape, 'Lemonjade' adds beauty and interest with minimal fuss.

Planting and caring for the Rock 'N Grow® 'Lemonjade' Autumn Stonecrop (Sedum hybrid) involves simple steps that make it accessible for gardeners of all skill levels. Here's how to ensure your 'Lemonjade' thrives in your garden:

Planting:

1. Timing: The best time to plant 'Lemonjade' is in the spring after the threat of frost has passed or in early fall, allowing the plant to establish before winter.
2. Location: Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade, with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering.
3. Soil: 'Lemonjade' prefers well-drained soil. If you have heavy clay or poorly draining soil, consider amending it with sand or gravel to improve drainage or plant in raised beds.
4. Spacing: Space plants approximately 26 to 28 inches apart to allow for mature spread.

Care:

1. Watering: Water the plants thoroughly at planting to settle the soil around the roots. Once established, 'Lemonjade' is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for xeriscaping or dry garden areas. Water occasionally during prolonged dry spells, especially in the first growing season to ensure it establishes well.
2. Mulching: Applying a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plants can help retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition. Be careful not to cover the crown of the plant, which can lead to rot.
3. Fertilizing: 'Lemonjade' does not require supplemental fertilization. It thrives in poor to average soil conditions, emphasizing its low-maintenance nature.
4. Pruning: Little to no pruning is required. You may trim back spent flowers to maintain a neat appearance or leave them to enjoy the winter interest they provide and cut back in early spring before new growth begins.
5. Winter Care: 'Lemonjade' is hardy in zones 3 through 9 and typically does not need special winter care in these zones. However, in areas with harsh winters, a light mulch can provide extra protection.

Additional Tips:

• Soil pH: This plant is adaptable to a range of soil pH levels, from acidic to alkaline.
• Pests and Diseases: 'Lemonjade' is generally pest and disease-resistant, contributing to its ease of care.
• Uses in the Landscape: It's versatile for use in borders, containers, as a cut flower, in mass plantings, or as a striking addition to rock gardens and landscape designs.

By following these straightforward planting and care guidelines, the Rock 'N Grow® 'Lemonjade' Autumn Stonecrop will be a vibrant, low-maintenance addition to your garden, offering unique colors and textures throughout the growing season and beyond.