Sedum hispanicum aka Spanish Stonecrop

Sedum hispanicum is a small, evergreen perennial in the Crassulaceae family. Its common names include Spanish stonecrop and glaucous stonecrop. It comes from Europe and southwest Asia. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. This succulent forms a low mat rather than an upright clump. Its low form suits ground cover and garden edges. The leaves remain on the plant through the year.

Plants reach about 0.33 feet (0.1 metres) in height. Their spread ranges from 0.33–1.64 feet (0.1–0.5 metres). They take two to five years to reach full size. The tiny leaves feel soft and hold water in fleshy tissue. Their blue-grey colour changes as the weather grows cold. Low temperatures bring a purple tint to the foliage. These leaves form the main year-round feature of the plant. In summer, it bears white, star-shaped flowers. Pale pink stripes mark the blooms.

Give this stonecrop full sun and a sheltered growing site. A south-facing or west-facing position suits its light needs. It grows in chalk, loam, or sandy soil. The soil should have moderate fertility and drain well. Choose a neutral or alkaline soil rather than an acid one. It tolerates drought, and its moisture range runs from dry to moist. Good drainage remains important across that range of conditions. The RHS rates its hardiness as H4. This means it withstands about 14–23°F (−10 to −5°C) under UK conditions.

Use it in rock gardens, containers, or along garden edges. Its mat-forming growth also suits planting as a ground cover. The RHS includes it among plants for coastal gardens. It also lists cottage gardens and informal planting as suitable settings. Its small size allows use in patio containers. For routine care, trim the plant once flowering has ended. This helps keep its shape within the planting. Divide plants in spring to make more plants.

Watch for slugs, snails, and vine weevil grubs. Scale insects and mealybugs may also attack the plant. Fungal and bacterial diseases can cause crown and root rot. These are possible problems, not signs that every plant will suffer. The supplied species evidence does not establish edible uses or toxicity. It also gives no details about the fruit.