Rhodiola rhodantha aka Red Orpine

Rhodiola rhodantha is a perennial in the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. Its common names include queen's crown and redpod stonecrop. The RHS also calls it rose crown. Older names include Sedum rhodanthum and Clementsia rhodantha. It comes from the west-central United States. Its range includes Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant grows to about 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] tall. It lives in cold subalpine or subarctic regions. Wild plants grow in damp tundra, meadows, and beside streams. PFAF records mountain habitats up to 8,858 feet [2,700 metres]. Its flowers range from pink to white. They bloom in July and August. Seeds ripen from August through September. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and the plant is self-fertile.

In gardens, give it sun and fertile soil that drains well. It does not grow in shade. Sandy, loamy, and clay soils can all suit it. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. PFAF lists dry or moist soil as suitable. Once established, plants can cope with drought. This contrasts with the damp sites where wild plants grow. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. It also recommends the species for flower borders and cultivated beds.

Grow new plants from seed or divide existing plants. Sow seeds on the soil surface in spring. Use well-drained soil and a sunny place in a greenhouse. Keep the seed soil from drying out. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Keep them in the greenhouse through their first winter. Plant them outside in early summer the next year. Divide plants in spring or early summer. Large divisions can go straight into their final sites. Grow small divisions in pots under light shade until established.

The leaves are edible raw or cooked. Young leaves are the preferred choice for eating. Finely cut leaves can go into salads or cooked greens. PFAF gives the plant a low edible-use rating. It lists no known hazards, medicinal uses, or other uses. That hazard entry does not establish safety for pets. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.