Petrosedum rupestre ‘Angelina’
Petrosedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ is a succulent ground cover with colors that evolve as the seasons change.
The fine, needle-like foliage is lime green to yellowish gold in spring, gradually transitioning to bronze, red, or orange in fall.
It spreads quickly to form a dense, low-growing mat in rocky or dry sites, making it ideal for growing in between stepping stones, on slopes, or in containers.
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Yellow, star-shaped flowers appear in early summer and persist for several weeks, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
In our guide to growing stonecrop, we cover how to enjoy these low-maintenance succulents in your landscape. This article zeros in on ‘Angelina,’ a popular type of sedum.
Here’s what I’ll cover:
What You’ll Learn
A member of the Cassulaceae family, ‘Angelina’ is a cultivated variety of Petrosedum rupestre, a species of stonecrop native to mountainous areas in Europe.
In spite of being commonly referred to as a sedum, botanically-speaking, it’s not classified in the Sedum genus.
While the Sedum genus contains several hundred diverse species, Petrosedum is a smaller genus with only 14 currently accepted species that are morphologically distinct from true sedums.
However, many gardeners and folks in the horticulture trade still refer to this species as Sedum rupestre, as it was previously classified and now considered a synonym.
Quick Look
Common name(s): Angelina sedum or stonecrop, reflexed stonecrop
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial succulent
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 5-8
Native to: Central and western Europe (species), cultivated variety
Bloom time / season: Early to midsummer
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Loose, lean, well-draining
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral
Time to maturity: 1-2 years
Mature size: 3-6 inches high by 12-24 inches wide
Best uses: Ground cover, edging, rock gardens, containers, green roofs, erosion control
Taxonomy
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Petrosedum (syn. Sedum)
Species: Rupestre
‘Angelina’ is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8 and its soft-looking, yet spiky leaves, each about three-quarters of an inch long are arranged in a whorls around the stems. Sometimes they’ll sport brownish red tips during the growing season.
When the cool temperatures of fall and winter set in, the foliage will adopt darker hues of amber, orange, red, and even purple, providing visual interest while many other plants are bare and dormant.
Individually, the plants will grow one or two feet wide and up to six inches in height.
When spaced eight to 12 inches apart and planted together as a group, ‘Angelina’ will grow as a mat-like ground cover, blanketing your landscape with lovely shades of succulent softness.
It also makes an excellent addition to a green roof and can provide erosion control on slopes.
How to Grow
Like most stonecrops, ‘Angelina’ is easy to establish and maintain. As mentioned, the plants are hardy in Zones 5 to 8 and can withstand temperatures down to -20°F.
They tolerate a range of humidity levels but prefers dry to moderate conditions.
Light
‘Angelina’ thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
While it can tolerate partial shade, insufficient light may lead to leggy growth and more muted foliage color.
Soil
Soil-wise, these plants flourish in a lean, well-draining substrate with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Emphasis on lean – fertile, organically-rich soil can cause sedums to grow leggy and the stems may flop over.
Coarse sand, gravel, and/or rocky soils work pretty well.
Water
As for irrigation, ‘Angelina’ sedums don’t need much, the plants are drought-tolerant when established. Don’t even think about watering until the top two inches of soil are dry.
Fertilizing
Fertilization is generally unnecessary. If desired, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring but avoid nitrogen-rich products which can promote weak, leggy growth.
Containers
‘Angelina’ adapts well to container cultivation. Use pots with drainage holes and a well-draining succulent potting soil.
Set the container in a spot where it will receive ample sunlight and water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Where to Buy
‘Angelina’ is easy to find in nurseries that carry a good variety of succulents.
If you prefer to shop online, you can find plants in one-gallon containers available at Fast Growing Trees.
Maintenance
Stonecrop is pretty low-maintenance, and ‘Angelina’ is no exception. However, you’ll probably have to do a couple of routine tasks every once in a while to keep it looking shipshape.
If the stems of your plants are starting to become weak – evidenced by them flopping over – then pinching flower heads will redirect energy into strengthening the stems.
Deadheading spent blooms also tidies up a plant with expired flower heads, although dead sedum flowers can provide fall and winter interest.
As a low-growing variety, ‘Angelina’ sedum may need pruning if it ever starts to grow out-of-bounds.
Of course, you can also divide your stonecrop when the plants grow too large or you wish to grow some elsewhere.
Propagation
Like most succulents, ‘Angelina’ is easy to grow from cuttings or by division.
Our guide to propagating succulents has everything you need to reproduce a clone of your favorite plant.
It’s easiest to start with a potted specimen from the nursery. When you have your potted start, transplant it into the garden in early spring so it has a chance to become established before the temperatures get too hot.
To transplant, dig a hole sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate the roots. Gently remove the plant from its growing pot and set it in place – at the same depth it was in the container.
Backfill with soil and water in well.
Pests and Disease
‘Angelina’ sedum plants are vulnerable to some pests and diseases. Let’s take a look:
Pests
Thankfully, this cultivar is deer-resistant, however, rodents like squirrels and voles may chew on the leaves or tunnel underground to eat the roots.
Insects like black vine weevils, mealybugs, and scale can cause some damage.
Black vine weevil grubs feed on the roots, while the adults consume the leaf edges at night.
Beneficial nematode species such as Steinernema kraussei and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can be applied to the soil to control the larvae.
Pyrethrin sprays can be used to coat the leaves during weevil feeding in late spring to early summer.
Mealybugs will suck sap from shoot tissue, excrete honeydew, and leave white clumps of wax behind.
They can be removed by dabbing a 70 percent solution of rubbing alcohol in water on the pests with a cotton swab.
Scale inflict a similar type of damage and can be dealt with in a similar manner as mealybugs.
Slugs and snails will feed on the succulent shoots, leaving irregularly-shaped holes and clipped plant parts behind. Use a flashlight and pick them off of infested plants at night.
Disease
As for diseases, you may need to deal with leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root or stem rot.
Caused by various genera of fungi like Cercospora, Colletotrichum, or Septoria, leaf spots primarily cause foliage to develop defined patches of necrosis, which are detrimental to both aesthetics and health.
Fungicides can help prevent and control leaf spot.
Powdery mildew is a fungal issue that weakens plants while coating their leaves with a nasty, white powder of mycelium and spores.
Root and stem rot can be caused by pathogens, but can also occur abiotically as a result of excess moisture in the soil. Avoid overwatering and ensure you plant in well-draining soil.
Tough, Colorful, and Uncomplicated
‘Angelina’ stonecrop does exactly what a good ground cover should: it fills space quickly, asks for very little, and looks exceptional year-round.
With its colorful foliage and drought tolerance, it’s a smart choice whether you’re edging a path, topping a retaining wall, or covering a rocky slope.
Still have questions? Are you growing ‘Angelina’ sedum? Let us know in the comments section below!
And for more sedum know-how, add these guides to your reading list next:
