If you have a gay spot that you ’d like to occupy with ruffianly but colourful flora , do n’t overlook a succulent called " Dragon ’s Blood " sedum ( Sedum spurium " Dragon ’s Blood " ) . Also known as a stonecrop , this plant does well in average to poor ground and can thrive when weather is hot and dry . Easy to plant and keep , planting time for " Dragon ’s Blood " sedum bet to some extent on the mood where you exist .

Step 1

" Dragon ’s Blood " sedum has succulent , over-embellished - fleeceable leave which turn red in fall . It grow outdoors year troll in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant life hardiness zone 4 through 9 , where it ’s usually an evergreen plant , except in the cold parts of its range . If you go where winter temperatures dribble below freezing for long periods , the best time to constitute " Dragon ’s Blood " is in outpouring , after peril of frost has excrete and plants are balance to put out Modern emergence . you’re able to also institute a unexampled sedum in summer , provided you keep it well - wateredduring hot weather until it ’s established . spill planting can also act well in cold - winter areas , but take up four to six weeks before your last frost , so that plant can put out new root before winter arrives .

In Warmer Areas

" Dragon ’s Blood " sedum can continue growing yr - rhythm in area where winter frost is rare ; in addition to other times of year , you may also plant during wintertime in these arena , specially if you choose a warm spot , such as near a edifice wall . Because this form is only 3 to 6 inches tall and spreads rapidly to a breadth of about 2 feet , siting it near the top of a stone retaining wall allows it to cascade downwards ; this also helps keep it warm as it starts growing during the wintertime . * * you may help a sedum get off to a near showtime by mulching it with 3 or 4 inches of straw or another constituent mulch such as shred barque . * * This is specially helpful if you plant in winter , becausemulch helps keep roots quick during coolheaded conditions , promoting quick growth of a new root arrangement .

Step 2

Spacing and Early Care

" Dragon ’s rakehell " sedum choose sandy or crushed rock - rich stain and requires splendid drainage to do well . If your soil is rich in clay and drainage slow , mix about 2 inches of coarse sand into the sphere at plant to ameliorate its drain . When planting several sedums , space them about 1 foot apart if you ’re using them as ground cover ; infinite a single works 1 1/2 to 2 feet away from other works , to allow it to broadcast full . Place each sedum plant in a hole that keeps it at the same level as in its pot , tamping soil down well . Water the industrial plant good , soaking the soil around each plant to guarantee no air is trapped around the roots . For the first few weeks , water the new plant whenever the top few inches of dirt feels dry to the trace . Once found , the flora is very drouth kind and only demand occasional extra weewee .

Continuing Care

" Dragon ’s rip " sedum spreads chop-chop after institute , but if you ’re using it as a priming coat cover , it helps to keep the surface area between plant life well - weed to minimize competition for wet and grunge nutrient . you may also avail the plant life off to a good start by feeding it every four to six weeks during the first time of year . Use a general - intent fertilizer such as a 10 - 10 - 10 convention , reduce it at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon per Imperial gallon of water , but also check your product label for additional directions .

References

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