Phedimus hybridus aka Hybrid Stonecrop

Phedimus hybridus belongs to the Crassulaceae family. It is a succulent, a plant with fleshy parts. It is also a perennial: it lives for years. Its native range spans eastern European Russia, Siberia, and Mongolia. These areas have a temperate climate. Garden sources also call it Sedum hybridum, or Siberian sedum. The RHS gives Sedum sibiricum as one more name. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This low plant creeps and forms a mat of evergreen leaves. It grows about 0.33 feet (0.1 metres) tall. Its spread is 0.33–1.64 feet (0.1–0.5 metres). Plants reach full size in two to five years. The trailing stems grow roots as they cross the ground. Bright green, fleshy leaves grow in rosettes along the stems. These are groups of leaves set in a ring. Cold or drought can turn the leaves red. This change adds interest when the plant is not in bloom.

Groups of yellow, star-shaped flowers rise above the leaf mat. The RHS says it blooms in summer. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a wider range: May through October. That source also says the plant draws butterflies and resists deer. The low leaves suit ground cover and garden edges. The flowers add colour but little extra height. The evergreen leaves stay on the plant beyond summer.

Choose a sheltered site where the soil drains well. The RHS calls for full sun and soil of moderate fertility. Chicago Botanic Garden says part shade suits it, too. The RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand as soil choices. The plant suits neutral to alkaline soil. It copes with drought, with a stated range from dry to moist. Soil must drain well throughout that range. The RHS gives a UK hardiness rating of H4. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 4–9.

Grow it in rock gardens, pots, or coastal planting schemes. It also suits cottage gardens and other informal sites. The RHS lists it for gardens that need little care. Trim plants once blooms fade to keep their shape. Grow more plants from softwood cuttings, made from young stems. The RHS says pests cause few problems. Fungi and bacteria can cause crown and root rots. Neither garden source gives facts on edible parts or toxicity. Thus, they do not show whether this plant is safe to eat.