Hylotelephium (ice plant): Plant profile (2024)

Hylotelephium. Photo: Shutterstock

With succulent, frosted stems and a tolerance of icy winters, Hylotelephium(formerly sedum) is commonly known as an ice plant. Meanwhile, in summer, its bright pink flowers are a hot spot for bees and butterflies.Emily Woodprovides growing tips and variety recommendations.

Border sedums or ice plants have now been reclassified as Hylotelephium. These beautiful perennials can tough out harsh winters, despite their waxy leaves which seem more suited to hot weather.

How to identify Hylotelephium (Ice plant)

Hylotelephium have stems that are tall and upright in comparison to other sedum varieties that provide ground cover. Theybegin with small rosettes of leaves before developing thick stems.

Ice plants provide brilliant colour. Their waxy, elliptic leaves of grey-green to dark purple contrast with bright pink flowers grouped in flat clusters throughout late summer.

How to grow Hylotelephium

Propagate Hylotelephium by division in spring or autumn, once they have finished flowering. Alternatively, you could takesoftwood cuttings in early summer. In some cases, they can be prone to self-seeding.

Planting Hylotelephium

Sedums are hardy perennials that grow best:

• In areas of full sun. They will perform poorly in shady areas.
• For best growth, plant in light or sandy soils. Ice plants can thrive in poor soils.
• Plant them all year round, as long as the soil is not frozen.

Caring for Hylotelephium

Hylotelephiumare low maintenance, though it is advisable to:

• Cut back the plant to maintain the overall shape after flowering. Remember that seedheads can be left to provide winter interest.
• StakeHylotelephiumto ensure the plant is stable. The plant grows to 35-40cm and can require support, especially in exposed locations.

Main uses of Hylotelephium

Like other sedums, Hylotelephium suit a wide range of planting styles, from cottage gardens to gravel gardens to prairie gardens. To plant up a border in the prairie style, try them withJapanese anemones, Globe thistles, penstemons and Stipa tenuissima.

Ice plantsare also excellent late season bee-forage plants. Their flat tops make an excellent landing stage for beesand butterflies.

Recommended varieties of Hylotelephium

1. Spectabile ‘Lisa’– produces clusters of rich pink flowers on green foliage.
2. Telephium ‘Xenox Yellow‘ – contrasts dark purple foliage with clusters of red flowers.
3. ‘Matrona’ – soft pink flowers combine with purple stems.

Why the name change?

It’s easy to get confused over the name of this plant due to its genus name changing from sedum to Hylotelephium in some varieties. This has yet to be recognised everywhere and variations of the name are still used across the world.

Hylotelephiumhasbeen popular in gardens from the early 1900s. Changes such as this one occur when scientists discover new data related to the plant’s genetics. Botanical names help them to group plants together with greater accuracy.

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