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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Ground Covers / Sedum ternatum (Wild, Woodland, or Three-leaved Stonecrop)

Sedum ternatum (Wild, Woodland, or Three-leaved Stonecrop)

Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop in March
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop flower buds in March
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop flowers en masse in April
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop in May
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop in May
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop seed heads in June
Sedum ternatum, Wild Stonecrop seed heads in June

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This lovely ground cover, the most widespread native member of the Sedum family in eastern North America,* favors rocky banks, cliffs, and woods. Its tiny, slightly-fragrant, star-like flowers rise in showy clusters above succulent foliage in the spring. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Ground Cover Mat under Red Maple, Flowers, Fruit Height: 1⁄2 foot Spread: 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 foot Bloom Color: White Characteristics Spreading, semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial Succulent, light-green leaves arranged in whorls of three; upper leaves on the fertile, taller shoots may whorl in groups of three or alternate Star-like flowers with four white petals, four light green sepals, & eight red-purple anthers on 4–8- inch whitish branches from April to June followed by follicles whose seeds are carried on the wind Green or pink stems root at nodes to form new plants Attributes Tolerates light shade, drought, air pollution, and rabbits No serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage; eastern chipmunks may eat roots Forms dense mats but easy to control growth and remove unwanted plants Stems, leaves edible until they flower; tender enough to eat raw when very young, otherwise cook briefly Attracts various bees and less often wasps, flies Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Partial Shade Water Requirements: Moist Use in rock gardens or under trees and shrubs Excellent Replacement for Delosperma spp. - Iceplant Lysimachia nummularia - Creeping Jenny Vinca minor - Periwinkle Once established, little maintenance is needed *In the Mid-Atlantic, it is native in DC, rare in DE, and scattered mostly in the southern half of PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains and the Piedmont and rare in the Coastal Plain. In NoVA, it is unreported in Arlington County, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax City. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Sedum ternatum (Wild, Woodland, or Three-leaved Stonecrop)

This lovely ground cover, the most widespread native member of the Sedum family in eastern North America,* favors rocky banks, cliffs, and woods. Its tiny white star-like flowers with five pointed petals rise in showy clusters above succulent foliage in the spring.

*In the Mid-Atlantic, it is native in DC, rare in DE, and scattered mostly in the southern half of PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains and the Piedmont and rare in the Coastal Plain. In NoVA, it is unreported in Arlington County, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax City.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets