General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Cactus/Succulent
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Dry
Plant Spread: 24 inches
Leaves: Good fall color
Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Inflorescence Height: 24 inches
Foliage Mound Height: 18 inches
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Provides winter interest
Cut Flower
Dried Flower
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Will not come true from seed
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Cuttings: Root
Division
Pollinators: Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
Goes Dormant
Child plants: 2 child plants

Image
Common names
  • Sedum
  • Showy Stonecrop
  • Butterfly Stonecrop
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Hylotelephium spectabile
  • Synonym: Sedum spectabile
Also sold as:
  • Autumn Joy

Photo Gallery
Location: My Gardens
Date: Summer 2013
Very Close View #Pollination #Butterflies

Photo taken October 2008 in Kouvola Finland. I just loved this co
Location: Apple Valley MN
Date: 2017-12-05

S. 'Autumn Joy' with 3 different colors of Asters. 9/15/2010
Location: springfield MO
Date: 2016-09-28
Location: Oxfordshire, England
Date: 2018-10-07
a reliable late bloomer
Location: Iowa
Location: North West New Jersey
Date: 2020-09-14
Location: My Gardens
Date: Summer 2009
Close Up View #Pollination #Bees
Location: Ingleside. Illinois
Date: 2023-09-18
Location: Ingleside. Illinois
Date: 2023-09-18
Location: Radford Virginia
Date: 2020-08-29
Love how it attracts so many different pollinators, and so late i

#Pollination   9/11/2010 PNW zone 8
Location: Iowa
Location: Ingleside. Illinois
Date: 2023-09-18
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2018-08-26
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2020-09-10
#pollination
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2017-10-04
Location: Photo by Carol Bacskai; zone 5b, Yorkville, IL
Date: 2020
Location: Photo by Carol Bacskai; zone 5b, Yorkville, IL
Date: 2020
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2021-10-14
Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile 'Herbstfreude') Autumn Joy
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2018-09-09
Location: My Yard
Date: 2014-08-18
#pollination

#Pollination
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2022-09-04
Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile 'Herbstfreude') aka Autumn Joy
Location: Bea’s garden
Date: 2023-08-21
Location: Western Kentucky
Date: 2011-09-17
Even in years of drought, this sedum shines.
Photo by csj01
Location: Iowa
Date: 2017-08-26
Location: IL
Date: 2016-09-12
#Pollination Spotted Beet Webworm Moth - Hodges#5169 (Hymenia per
Location: Millinocket, Maine
Date: 2022-09-16
Autumn Joy inside Lavender with a PJM Rhododendron backdrop
Location: Ingleside. Illinois
Date: 2021-10-01
Location: Coastal WA 9A
Date: 2023-09-09
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2020-07-22
High summer, pre bloom
Location: Belmont garden, dry spot
Date: 2013-09-26
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA (zone 7b north Geogia mountains)
Date: 2022-03-07
Photo by Cat
  • Uploaded by Cat
Location: Washington
Date: 2016-02-25
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2020-09-10
#pollination
Location: Western Kentucky
Date: 2011-09-17
A treasure for every kind of flying critter.
Location: springfield MO
Date: 2018-02-10
Location: Fairfax, VA

Autumn Joy with a Blue aster. 9/15/2010
Location: Ingleside. Illinois
Date: 2022-03-21
Location: West border
Date: October 2015
Location: Iowa
Date: 2017-10-01
Location: Iowa
Date: 2017-10-01
Location: Ingleside. Illinois
Date: 2022-05-08
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2013-01-24
Newly emerging plants
Location: Dayton, TN
Date: 2013-09-02
About ready to flly bloom
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2015-10-11
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2022-09-04
Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile 'Herbstfreude') aka Autumn Joy
Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2018-01-25
"Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy', 2018, [Stonecrop], SEE-dum tuh-LEF
Location: Cincinnati, Oh
Date: September 2011
Attracts bees, here having Autumn Joy for dinner

Date: 2019-09-16
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA
Date: 2021-09-15
Location: West border
Date: September
Location: Northwest NJ
Date: 2017-09-14

March 2010 PNW zone 8
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2018-12-23
Found this literally under the snow.
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Date: 2015-09-10
Location: Iowa
Date: 2017-09-18
Location: My garden
Date: 2017-09-27
9-27-2017
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2020-04-18
Dried, cut flowers
Photo by sedumzz
Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2016-10-02
"Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy', 2016, Stonecrop, SEE-dum tuh-LEFF-
Location: My Gardens
Date: Summer 2009
Close Up View #Pollination #Bees
Location: Iowa
Date: 2017-10-01
Location: Arvada, Colorado zone 5
Date: 2007-11-06
Location: Photo taken at Al's Garden Center, Woodburn, Oregon
Date: Feb 18, 2012
New growth after winter dormancy.
Location: Belmont, full sun
Date: 2014-08-26
Location: Belmont, full sun
Date: 2014-08-26
Location: Belmont, full sun
Date: 2014-08-26
Location: Central Illinois
Date: 8/28/2018
Location: IL
Date: 2009-09-14
Location: My garden in Bark River, MI
Date: September 2010
#Pollination

Date: 2013-08-20
Location: Fairfax, VA | July, 2022
Date: 2022-07-27

Date: 2012-09-15
Location: Northwest N.J.
Date: Sept.
Location: Cincinnati, Oh
Date: September 2011
Sedum Autumn Joy in fall
Location: Bea’s garden
Date: 2023-09-21
Location: Bea’s garden
Date: 2023-09-21
Location: Fairfax, VA | September, 2023
Date: 2023-08-26
Location: Local nursery
Date: 2015-09-13
Location: Western Washington
Date: 2017-11-07

Summer 09 PNW zone 8
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Date: 2015-08-28
Location: Orangeburg, SC
Date: 2015-11-28
Sedum Autumn Joy blooms

Date: 2011-09-14
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2018-05-15
First spring for this healthy plant.
Location: Middle Tennessee
Date: 2014-08-28
In a container on the deck
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2019-05-17
Location: Twisp
Date: May
Location: Balboa Park - San Diego, California
Date: 2013-08-16
Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Outdoors)
Location: Belmont, full sun
Date: 2014-08-26
Location: Belmont, full sun
Date: 2014-08-26

Image Courtesy of Bloomin Designs Nursery Used with Permission
  • Uploaded by vic
Photo by marsrover
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2015-09-05

Date: 2014-09-10
Location: Athol, MA
Date: April, 2018
Delayed spring growth due to weather.
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2018-04-18
New growth, slightly delayed due to very cold spring weather.
Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Outdoors)

Date: 2021-08-08
Photo by sedumzz
Location: Red Butte Garden, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Date: 2019-09-27
Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Outdoors)
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2023-09-06
Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile 'Herbstfreude') aka Autumn Joy
Location: My garden, Pequea, Pennsylvania, USA
Date: 2016-09-27

Date: 2023-05-14
  • Uploaded by gwu
Location: Orangeburg, SC
Date: 2015-11-28
Sedum Autumn Joy
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Date: 2015-10-11
Location: Greenwood, MN
Date: 2015-08-29
Location: Belmont garden, dry spot
Date: 2013-09-26
Several heuchera are in front of it.
Location: Athol, MA
Date: 2017-10-04
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Date: 2015-06-04
Location: Greenwood, MN
Date: 2015-08-29
Location: Long Island, NY 
Date: 2013-09-03
Location: Maryland
Date: 2013-08-03
Location: my garden zone 7b, NC
Date: 2012-03-28
Location: Edinburg, Texas | June, 2023
Date: 2023-06-28
Location: RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire, UK
Date: 2021-05-29
Location: Fairfax, VA | September 2022
Date: 2022-09-10
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2013-04-07
Location: My garden in N E Pa. 
Date: 2014-09-23
Photo by Cat
  • Uploaded by Cat

Image Courtesy of Bloomin Designs Nursery Used with Permission
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: Washington Park Botanical Garden - Springfield, Il.
Date: 2016-03-26

Date: 2011-11-10

Date: 2011-11-10

Date: 2011-11-10

Date: 2011-11-10
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada - near Lake Ontario, zone 6a
Date: 2013-06-25

Date: 2012-09-15

Date: 2014-09-10
Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada
Date: 2015-09-07
Location: My Garden
Date: 2012-09-27
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Date: June
credit: SEWilco
Location: Yonkers, NY
Date: 2023-07-08
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2014-03-13
Emerging in spring
Location: Canoga Park, California
Date: 2008-09-04
Location: Wheaton MD
Date: 2019-04-21
Location: Central Kansas (Zone 6b)
Date: 2014-06-29
Receives full sun all day
Photo by dave
Photo by dave
Location: My garden
Date: 2017-09-06
Beginning to show color.
Location: My garden
Date: 2017-09-16
9-16-2017
Location: My garden
Date: 2017-09-25
9-25-2017
Location: My backyard in Allentown, PA
Date: 4 September 2016
Autumn Joy clusters begin to take on color on Labor Day weekend 2
Photo by jon
  • Uploaded by jon
Photo by MaryDurtschi

Date: 2004-09-21
Location: Virginia
Date: 2011
Location: my garden zone 7A Cape Cod, MA
Date: 2017-06-10

Date: 2012-04-16

Photo Courtesy of Garden Perennials. Used with Permission.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Date: 2015-06-04
Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2015-04-27
"Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy', 2015, Stonecrop, SEE-dum tuh-LEFF-
Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2016-10-02
"Sedum telephium 'Autumn Joy', 2016, Stonecrop, SEE-dum tuh-LEFF-
Location: Front border
Date: July
Location: western Oregon
Date: 2016-02-15
Location: N. Illinois, zone 5b
Date: 2013-10-18
The blooms are just about dried out.

Date: 2/14/15
Location: My garden in Kalama, Wa. Zone 8
Date: 2013-06-20
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada - near Lake Ontario, zone 6a
Date: 2013-06-02
Location: Balboa Park - San Diego, California  
Date: 2013-08-16

Date: 2013-10-04
Location: Washington
Date: 2016-07-11
Location: Washington
Date: 2015-10-25

Date: 2016-08-21
Photo courtesy of Santa Rosa Gardens. Used with permission.
Location: my garden zone 7b NC, USA
Date: 2013-08-21
Location: Virginia
Date: 2012-03-31
Location: my garden zone 7b NC, USA
Date: 2013-08-21
Photo by dave
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2013-09-18
Location: Chapel Garden
Date: 2014-09-09
Late summer flowering
Location: Washington
Date: 2016-09-23

Date: 2013-09-25
Location: With Rudbeckia Goldstrum
Date: 2012-07-28

Date: 2012-07-28
Just starting to get fall color

Date: 2012-04-16
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Comments:
  • Posted by Chillybean (Iowa - Zone 5a) on Aug 6, 2015 5:24 PM concerning plant:
    This is my favorite non-native (to U.S.) plant. At this time I have one left, but it is next door to an ever growing spruce tree.

    One reason I like this so well is that it is a bumblebee magnet. It is a late bloomer, so it is a good food source for these bees when many things have faded. I have since planted more asters and other late-flowering U.S. natives that will replace the other sedums we yanked out of the ground. Another reason I enjoyed this is its early neat growing habit. It forms a nice round ball. But as it gets taller, heavy rains will cause it to flop in all directions, much like the native Tallgrass Prairie plants I have around the yard.
  • Posted by Bonehead (Planet Earth - Zone 8b) on Sep 16, 2014 4:08 PM concerning plant:
    Begins blooming in late summer with flat pink heads that gradually darken to a rust shade and hold well into winter. I don't cut the seed heads back until I see new growth in early spring. Plants may flop if grown in too much shade or in rich soil, otherwise an easy and reliable fall plant.
  • Posted by sedumzz (Fairfax VA - Zone 7a) on Apr 6, 2021 12:40 PM concerning plant:
    ~~Sedumzzs' Plant Review~~

    I have a small cutting of this from my old clump. This variety is slightly larger than 'Brilliant' and has much bluer leaves. It has rooted very fast.

    Rating: 4/5
  • Posted by valleylynn (Oregon City, OR - Zone 8b) on Mar 4, 2010 4:47 AM concerning plant:
    I just don't know how any plant can be easier than Sedum Autumn Joy. It is not bothered by deer, rabbits, bugs, or insects, and difficult weather seems to have no effect on it. It is a prolific grower.
  • Posted by Calif_Sue (Sebastopol, CA - Zone 9a) on Sep 8, 2022 10:54 AM concerning plant:
    'Autumn Joy' has star-like flowers which emerge pink, gradually change to deep rose-red and then coppery-rust in autumn as they die.
  • Posted by sedumzz (Fairfax VA - Zone 7a) on Feb 2, 2021 1:32 PM concerning plant:
    --Plant Review--
    I have had this plant for as far as I can remember, but since I moved last year I wasn't able to bring a cutting Sad I have a small cutting that is still rooting. I will have to see how it fares!

    Leaves:
    The leaves are like spoons, and have a waxy coating. When it rains, the raindrops stay as little bubbles (the leaves are water-resistant). Very fun to play with. I've heard of rubbing them, and blowing them up as a balloon. Anyways, picking the leaves off does not harm the plant. Leaves are pastel turquoise.

    Flowers and seeds:
    Bees and butterflies adore this plant. My high score was 10 bees on one plant. :3 The flowers are tiny and have five petals. They are pink and pretty. They bloom summer/autumn. The seeds and stems look nice in the winter and look really decorative.

    Dormancy:
    Dormant in winter, like my other hylotelephiums. They make compact clumps and look great. The spent stems are hollow and have whitish tint.
  • Posted by kqcrna (Valencia, Pa - Zone 6a) on Jan 23, 2012 6:50 AM concerning plant:
    Sedum Autumn Joy is easily propagated by breaking off a piece, stripping it, and burying the lowest node. It needs some available soil moisture during rooting, but very little. Overwatering will cause the cutting to rot.
  • Posted by Newyorkrita (North Shore, Long Island, NY ) on Sep 7, 2013 6:49 PM concerning plant:
    Autumn Joy is one of the older Sedums in my garden. Like all of the upright Sedums, it is very attractive to honey and bumble bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.
  • Posted by Sharon (Calvert City, KY - Zone 7a) on Sep 29, 2011 3:26 PM concerning plant:
    In September and October, this sedum is usually the only bloom I can always count on. Our recent summers have been hot and dry here in western KY, but that doesn't seem to bother this sedum at all.
Plant Events from our members
Horntoad On September 17, 2014 Bloomed
Chillybean On April 6, 2015 Plant Ended (Removed, Died, Discarded, etc)
Removed most of these plants from the north side of the house. Only one remains, but looks to be nearly bowled over by an expanding spruce.
MissMew On May 1, 2002 Obtained plant
Lalambchop1 On August 15, 2015 Obtained plant
Was sent a clump from Jackie & Dan. Divided it and planted the new ones in the nursery bed.
» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' by valleylynn Jan 25, 2013 7:51 PM 16
Sedum Autum Joy pic with 3 asters by CDsSister Jan 30, 2013 7:19 PM 3
What an outstanding photograph! by lovemyhouse Nov 27, 2013 10:33 AM 2

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