Just wanted to update the information on this sedum. Research shows that it is sold under several different specie names (S. hakonense, S. hispanicum, S. Hybridum, and I have seen a couple more species names that it can be sold under).

The database information has been changed from S. hakonense 'Chocolate Ball' to S. polytrichoides 'Chocolate Ball'.


My first two attempts at growing this sedum were not successful. I finally figured out that it does not like full sun/drought conditions. This plant has done well for me in morning sun, fast draining soil, but does not like to be kept dry. It likes to be watered on a regular basis. So far the color has stayed a very dark and intense deep chocolate color.

What are your experiences with this plant?

My experience is: croaked twice . Not sure I'll try it again though. Garland's has them in now, at least they did on Wednesday when I was there.

Connie give it another try. I am so glad I tried the third time. Shade is the key, and regular watering. Just let it dry out a bit before watering. I have it in a container this time, so it is easier to control it's needs. I quit trying to grow it out in my full sun raised beds.

That's just it, I don't have shade until late afternoon when I get shade from my neighbor's trees. Ok, I just went out and checked and I have some shade on the north side of my Dawn viburnum and more solid shade under the table garden. Not a lot of shade though. The thing is, I would not want to grow it alone in a container; it screams for companions with that dark color. But what would go with it that requires the same conditions and is not an annual? Something to think about.

S. 'Ogon', S. 'Limelight', S. hispanicum L 'Aureum' (also sold as Sedum hispanicum var. minus 'Aureum'). That is the lovely chartreuse sedum you gave me at the clinic. It would be beautiful with Chocolate Ball'.
What do you think?

I don't know... last Wednesday I bought S. hispanicum var. minus Pink Form. It is still in its pot (no surprise there ). Come to think of it these hispanicums do seem to handle more water. After all they hug up to my Japanese irises and those irises need a lot of water. I have Limelight on the table and it isn't doing all that well so maybe a move is in its near future. While I am dreaming of this they could be selling out... right at this moment... must...go...now!

Let me know when you get back.

I'm back. I got two Chocolate Balls (there are three left at the nursery), one Ogon and one Lonicera nitida 'Lemon Beauty'. The label says it is a trailer for walls and containers and gets 3-6 feet wide. Fortunately it also says it tolerates pruning.

Oh I see Patty has the Lonicera and it looks pretty big .

Oh my, that does get big.

Yea you got Chocolate Ball. It will be fun to see how we both do by this time next year with this sedum.

@gg5 did yours go winter dormant?

hummmm, I have 2 pots. One in larger hypertuffa pot, one in 4" plastic pot. Both were in part shade/sun. The smaller pot always looks better, fuller. I love the brownish color.

It will be interesting to share photos and notes on growing as this next year goes by.

I still haven't decided what to plant all these in. Decisions, decisions... clay pot or plastic pot; big pot or smaller pot, hmmm...

Can we see photos of the containers?

Well, I have a lot of containers to choose from and they are all ordinary. You know, round with a rim around the top edge. Nothing fancy or whimsical. Well, I'll take that back... I did buy this little owl just the other day at Ross. It is supposed to be a candle holder but I had other thoughts when I bought it, like sticking a plant in it. So I think one of the Chocolate Balls will go in that. I'll get a photo tomorrow. I've been so busy with my camera lately with lily season in full swing and pollen to be spread generously around. It's actually a lot of work with all the label making for the crosses and making foil caps to protect the crosses. It's all worth it in the end!

Here is I picture I took a few hours ago of one of my trumpet lily seedlings just starting bloom. I made the cross about 5 years ago.

Here is the owl I bought at Ross. I'll put at least one Chocolate Ball in it. Not that it has small holes all over it.

That is wonderfully whimsical. I love it.

Well phooey, I meant to upload this one:

Even cuter.

Cute owl.

This thread just reminded me that I got a Chocolate Ball this spring...now tomorrow I need to remember to find out what "ate" it. Hopefully it's still out there somewhere. I know that I set it in a "safe" place while we were away, but I haven't seen it since.