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Close-up Oregon stonecrop flower (Sedum oreganum). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up Oregon stonecrop flower (Sedum oreganum). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the succulent leaves of Oregon stonecrop (Sedum oreganum). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Growth habit of Oregon stonecrop (Sedum oreganum) in the habitat garden. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Oregon stonecrop plant displaying uniquely red hues (Sedum oreganum) in the habitat garden. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A patch of Oregon stonecrop (Sedum oreganum) in its natural habitat, on a rocky outcropping. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Oregon Stonecrop

Sedum oreganum

Oregon stonecrop is an evergreen groundcover with attractive, year-round appeal. It's especially striking in summer when clusters of bright yellow flowers burst into bloom atop short, upright stems, beckoning neighborhood bees and butterflies. Depending on growing conditions like sunlight, heat and soil, its compact, succulent leaves can vary in color from green to red. 

  • Plant type/canopy layer: evergreen, perennial, herbaceous plant
  • Size at maturity: 3-6" tall, spreads laterally by rhizomes, creating a groundcover
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist to dry soil
  • Bloom time: June - August (July - August in the Portland Metro area)
  • Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: flowers are a nectar source for adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; overall plant is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for native butterflies and bees and attracts and supports predatory and other beneficial insects 
  • Native habitat/range: commonly grows on rocky outcrops and ledges, gravelly places, and slopes, from sea level to 1500m, across the Pacific Northwest from the coast to the Cascades. Portland Plant List - yes.
  • Special features & uses: evergreen; groundcover; landscape uses include pollinator gardens, green roofs, rock gardens, rock walls and potted arrangements

Gardening with Oregon Stonecrop: This is an excellent choice for partial to full sun rock and pollinator gardens with moist to dry, well-drained soil. It is relatively easy to grow, spreading laterally to colonize areas over time. If you hope to achieve this consistent groundcover effect, a good strategy is to buy enough so you can space them every foot or so. 

Photo Credit 1 (flowers): "Sedum oreganum 1" is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Photo Credit 2 (super close): © Yves Bas, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

Photo Credit 3 & 4 (foliage): Tracy Cozine, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 5 (red foliage): Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 6 (in the wild): © Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

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