Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Autumn Fire Stonecrop: Rosy Domes That Carry Lavender into Fall
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Autumn Fire stonecrop is a close relative of the familiar Autumn Joy, selected for a tighter habit, thicker leaves, sturdier stems and brighter rose-colored flowers. Its big dome-shaped heads, 4 to 6 inches across, open bright rose pink in late summer and deepen to rusty red as fall goes on. The clump is tight and upright, 24 to 30 inches tall, sturdy enough to stand in for a small shrub.
Autumn Fire at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hylotelephium 'Autumn Fire' (often sold as Sedum) |
| Flowers | Rose pink domes 4 to 6 inches across, aging to rusty red |
| Foliage | Fleshy, toothed, gray-green to mid-green |
| Size | 24 to 30 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late August, peaks late September |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for bees and butterflies; moderately deer resistant |
The late shift in a lavender bed
Once lavender is cut and shaped in summer, a bed can look quiet until frost. Autumn Fire is built for that stretch. Its flower heads form in summer as green broccoli-like domes, color up in late August and peak in late September, when bees and butterflies are hunting for the last good nectar of the year. Then the dried heads stand all winter, giving the bed shape under snow and food for birds.
It also shares lavender's needs exactly: full sun, lean, well-drained soil and little water. Its broad, fleshy gray-green leaves contrast nicely with lavender's narrow silver foliage. Plant it in groups between lavender mounds or at the ends of rows. Sketch it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Planting: set the bare root plant in spring with the crown at soil level and water in well.
- Soil: average to poor. Rich soil makes the stems stretch and flop.
- Water: very drought tolerant once established. It rots in wet, heavy ground.
- Winter: leave stems and heads standing. Good drainage matters more than mulch.
- Early spring: cut old stems back as new growth appears.
It is generally trouble-free. Watch for aphids, sedum weevil and, occasionally, leaf spot or powdery mildew.
Cut and dried heads
Autumn Fire rates well fresh and dried. Cut heads at any stage, from pink to rust, for fall arrangements. Dried heads keep their shape and pair well with dried lavender bundles in a wreath or a crock on the porch.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from Autumn Joy?
It is a close relative selected for a tighter habit, thicker leaves, sturdier stems and brighter rose flowers, so it is less prone to flopping.
Should I cut it back in fall?
No. Leave it standing for winter interest and birds, then cut it back in early spring.
Do rabbits or deer bother it?
It is moderately deer resistant. Occasional browsing can happen, especially on new spring shoots.
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