Sedum oreganum aka Oregon Stonecrop

Sedum oreganum, or Oregon stonecrop, belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Its native range runs from Alaska to California. It grows in temperate regions of western North America. Wild plants live mainly in mountain habitats. These include rock ledges, gravel ridges, and slopes of loose rock. Kew classes it as a succulent subshrub. Garden sources describe it as a low, evergreen perennial.

The plant forms a compact mat of fleshy leaves. It reaches about 0.33 feet (0.1 m) in height. Its spread ranges from 0.33–1.64 feet (0.1–0.5 m). Plants take about two to five years to reach full size. The green leaves turn bronze-red during summer. This change adds color beyond the flowering season. Short stems hold clusters of bright yellow flowers in summer. Each flower has a star-like shape.

Choose full sun and soil that drains well. The RHS recommends a sheltered site with moderately fertile soil. Suitable soils include loam, sand, and chalk. Neutral to alkaline soil suits this species. It tolerates drought and accepts dry to moist conditions. Good drainage remains important across that moisture range. The RHS gives it a hardiness rating of H7. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9. These ratings use different systems to describe its cold tolerance.

Its low form suits ground cover and garden edges. It also fits rock gardens, gravel beds, and containers. The RHS lists coastal and informal gardens among suitable settings. For ground cover, space plants about 0.82 feet (0.25 m) apart. It needs no pruning, which helps keep routine work low. Divide plants to make new ones. Another method uses softwood cuttings from shoots without flowers. Take these cuttings in early summer.

Slugs and snails may attack the plant. Other possible pests include vine weevil grubs and scale insects. Mealybugs may also occur. Fungal and bacterial diseases can rot roots and crowns. Plants For A Future lists leaves and young shoots as edible. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The same source gives the plant a low food-use rating. It describes the plant as not poisonous. However, eating large amounts may cause an upset stomach. It records no known medicinal uses.