Phedimus kamtschaticus aka Orange Stonecrop

Phedimus kamtschaticus belongs to the stonecrop family. It is a succulent, a plant with thick, fleshy leaves. It is also a perennial, living for more than two years. Garden sources also name it Sedum kamtschaticum. People call it orange stonecrop or Russian stonecrop. It is native to the Russian Far East. Its range also spans northern China and northern Japan. NC State lists Korea in its range too. In Japan, it grows on rocks in the mountains. Plants have spread out of gardens in Europe and the United States. They grow on disturbed ground, such as roadsides.

This low plant forms clumps and mats that spread. Garden heights range from about 0.25–0.58 feet [0.08–0.18 metres]. RHS gives a lower height of 0.33 feet [0.10 metres]. Reported widths range from 0.83–1.64 feet [0.25–0.50 metres]. It grows at a medium pace. It keeps some of its leaves through the winter. The thick leaves are bright green. Their edges have teeth or rounded notches. Cold weather turns them orange or brings out red tones. Each leaf has no hairs and stays under an inch long. The green stems may have small bumps. They have no scent.

Small yellow flowers form flat groups at the stem tips. Each bloom looks like a star. It has four or five petals and long stamens. Stamens are the flower parts that bear pollen. The flower groups span two to three inches. Sources give a bloom time from late spring through summer. RHS and NC State stress blooms in late summer. The blooms can turn russet as they age. Butterflies visit them, as do other insects that spread pollen. Red-brown fruits follow the flowers. The seedheads have a red tint.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. Chicago Botanic Garden also lists part shade. It suits sandy, loamy, chalky, and shallow rocky soils. RHS favours neutral to alkaline soil with a medium level of nutrients. Once settled in, it copes with dry spells and drought. NC State lists USDA zones 3–9. RHS rates it H5. Use it to edge beds or cover the ground. It also suits banks, pots, and rock gardens. Grow it in paving gaps or on green roofs. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.

It needs little care, and pests rarely cause trouble. Poor drainage can cause root or crown rot. RHS suggests dividing plants in spring. It also suggests cuttings in early summer from shoots without flowers. Trim after bloom, or keep the seedheads through winter. PFAF lists cooked young leaves and stems as food. Yet it warns that large amounts may upset the stomach. NC State classes the plant as mildly poisonous to humans. PFAF also records its use in traditional medicine. These uses address pain, inflammation, and wounds.