Sedum: A Long-lasting Autumn Cut Flower for Floral Displays

23 hours ago

2 min read

Sedum’s fluffy pink flowers are a seasonal favourite, and great value for money, either as a cut flower or garden plant. Sedum’s fresh green flower buds can be used in designs in late summer and early autumn, before the flowers mature into an attractive deep pink. Long-lasting and sturdy, there is much to recommend Sedum.

Soft-focus white sedum flower clusters with green stems against a dark maroon background, delicate and serene

It’s worth knowing that Sedum spectabile is no longer a recognised botanical name, the plant was reclassified into the Hylotelephium genus in the late 1970s, although its new name wasn’t officially adopted until more recently.

Pink clustered sedum with green leaves on a single stem, isolated on a white background.

Buying Sedum for Floristry: Availability, Stem Length and Vase Life

Stem length: 40-60cm, typically sold in multiples of 20 stems.

When to buy: Available from June to November, but it’s at its best from August to September when it can be also be sourced from UK growers.

Buy from UK growers from August to September

Close-up of pale green and pink clustered Sedum flowers blooming amid dark green foliage in a garden, soft and calm mood

Sedum Cut Flower Guide

Vase life: 7-10 days.

Colour Range: Although more than acceptable in its natural colours, it takes to dyeing very easily, so can be obtained from wholesalers in a wide range of vivid shades, even gold and silver.

Ideal temperature range: 5-8°C.

How to Care for Sedum

On arrival re-cut stems using a sharp knife and place in fresh water removing any foliage in contact with water.
Change water every 2-3 days, re-cutting stems each time.

Bride in a white dress holds a pastel pink and peach wedding bouquet including Sedum flowers outdoors in warm, blurred sunlight.

Floral Design Ideas: How to Use Sedum in Wedding and Seasonal Arrangements

Green Sedum has great texture and will act as a foil to the rich and vibrant autumn colours of gold, red and orange. It also works incredibly well with soft white, lemon and pink. As it’s a succulent, it lasts well out of water, so is ideal for bridal tied designs. The flower head can be cut into smaller pieces to be wired or glued.

Once mature, the red tones of the flowers will complement seasonal berries such as Symphoricarpos or Hypericum.

Close-up of pink and white Sedum clusters with green foliage, softly blurred garden background, calm and lush mood

Growing Sedum in UK Gardens: Planting, Care and Propagation Tips

An easy to grow perennial, Sedum is happy in most situations, although free draining soil and a sunny spot will produce a healthy plant with plenty of flowers. To stop it from sprawling, cut back by half in May. Keep the cuttings as they are easy to propagate, simply re-cut and clean the stem and place in a clear jar of water, which should be refreshed every few days. Leave in a bright spot until roots appear.

Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over Thirty years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.