Sedum and Hypertufa

Well, I promised a shot of my sedum collection blooming and here it is.  As much as I love the way they look, the best part is how seldom I have to water these guys, even in the extended drought we’re experiencing right now.  I give the taller ones a haircut by about half in June to prevent flopping and it seems to work, in addition to making them a bit bushier.

Next is a shot of mainly low, creeping-type sedums in homemade hypertufa planters. Hypertufa is a combination of Portland cement, perlite and peatmoss, which makes it resemble stone but weigh and cost considerably less. Hypertufa planters are sometimes called "troughs" because the formula can be used to replicate the old stone water troughs so valued today in England as planters.  Planters are formed either inside a mold of some kind – in this photos a bucket and an ice chest were used – or on top of an upside-down form, like the wok top used to make the planter on the far left. 

These guys were made at several Hort Club workshops and they’ve survived outdoors for two winters now.  They’re great for plants that need good drainage.