WINTER FIRE® sedum
Petrosedum rupestre 'Rice Creek'
WINTER FIRE® sedum (Petrosedum rupestre 'Rice Creek') is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–6 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Needle-like foliage turns fiery red in winter cold; yellow flowers mid-summer.
Plant Select®low water3–6 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: Industrees, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
- Photo 5: Петроченко Віктор Іванович, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hot south- or west-facing walls, Hellstrips / parking strips, Between pavers & flagstones
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 3–6 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Evergreen
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Using WINTER FIRE® sedum as a groundcover
WINTER FIRE® sedum forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes light foot traffic, fine to step across occasionally, but not a play-lawn.
Planting & establishment
Needs sharp drainage; extremely drought-tolerant once rooted.
Frequently asked questions
- Is WINTER FIRE® sedum good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, WINTER FIRE® sedum is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does WINTER FIRE® sedum get?
- It matures to about 3–6 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant WINTER FIRE® sedum?
- Space WINTER FIRE® sedum about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is WINTER FIRE® sedum hardy on the Front Range?
- WINTER FIRE® sedum is hardy in USDA 5–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does WINTER FIRE® sedum need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is WINTER FIRE® sedum native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is WINTER FIRE® sedum deer-resistant?
- WINTER FIRE® sedum is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Can you walk on WINTER FIRE® sedum?
- WINTER FIRE® sedum takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Will WINTER FIRE® sedum spread or stay put?
- WINTER FIRE® sedum is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Can WINTER FIRE® sedum grow between pavers?
- Yes. WINTER FIRE® sedum is steppable enough to fill the gaps between flagstones and pavers.
- How long does WINTER FIRE® sedum bloom?
- WINTER FIRE® sedum blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
