Other Names:  Autumn Stonecrop, Showy Stonecrop

Group/Class:  Evolution Series

Brand:  Terra Nova Nurseries Inc.

Description:

An exceptional perennial featuring rich chocolate-brown foliage all season long, and showy rose-pink flowers in summer; shiny red seed heads appear later; incredibly showy in a mass planting, prefers poor soils and dry conditions

Ornamental Features

Evolution™ Chocolate Fountain Stonecrop has masses of beautiful clusters of rose star-shaped flowers with pink overtones at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large succulent oval leaves emerge olive green in spring, turning dark brown in color with hints of burgundy throughout the season. The red fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from late summer to mid fall. The deep purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Evolution™ Chocolate Fountain Stonecrop is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Evolution™ Chocolate Fountain Stonecrop is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Evolution™ Chocolate Fountain Stonecrop will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 26 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 24 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Evolution™ Chocolate Fountain Stonecrop is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.