General
Orpine (Hylotelephium telephium, formerly Sedum telephium) is a hardy, clump-forming, succulent perennial native to Europe and widespread in Scandinavia. It forms upright, fleshy stems with blue-green leaves and domed clusters of starry pink to reddish flowers late in the season, providing vital nectar for pollinators from late summer into autumn. Extremely cold hardy (Swedish zones 1–8), drought tolerant, and long-lived in well-drained soils. Numerous garden forms exist, including selections with purple foliage or deeper flower tones. Excellent for low-maintenance borders, prairie-style plantings, gravel gardens, and containers.
Light
Full sun to light shade; best flowering and sturdier stems in full sun.
Soil type
Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates gravelly and poor soils; avoid waterlogged sites.
Water requirement
Low once established; moderate during establishment; allow soil to dry between waterings.
Nutrient requirement
Low; excessive fertility causes floppy growth and reduced flowering.
Precultivation
Seeds are tiny and benefit from light exposure to germinate. Sow very thinly on the surface of moist, free-draining seed mix between mid-February and late March at 18–22°C; do not cover seed, just press in and mist. Germination typically 14–28 days. A short cold spell (2–4 weeks at 0–5°C) can improve germination but is not essential. Grow on in bright light and cool conditions to prevent legginess. Prick out gently once large enough to handle. More commonly, orpine is propagated by division in early spring, or by 7–10 cm non-flowering stem cuttings in early summer (June–July) that root readily in gritty medium.
Planting
Plant outdoors when persistent daytime temperatures exceed about 8–10°C and risk of hard frost has passed. Space 30–45 cm apart. Choose a sunny, open position with excellent drainage; raised beds or gravelly amendments are ideal on heavy soils. Avoid rich manure; incorporate a modest amount of compost only if soil is very poor. Water in well at planting, then water sparingly. In containers, use a gritty, free-draining mix and a pot with large drainage holes.
Pruning
Leave spent flower heads and stems standing over winter for structure and wildlife. Cut old stems down to the base in early spring (March) when new shoots emerge. Optional: deadhead after main bloom (mid-Sept–Oct) to reduce self-seeding and keep clumps tidy. Pinching young shoots in late spring can produce stockier plants in very fertile soils.
Maintenance
Low-maintenance. Water deeply but infrequently; avoid chronic moisture. Top-dress with a thin layer of compost or slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring only. Too much nitrogen leads to lodging. Mulch with gravel for extra drainage. Divide every 3–5 years in early spring to rejuvenate vigor and control clump size. Stake only if grown in rich soil or shade where stems may flop. In containers, protect from winter wet by elevating pots and reducing watering.
Harvest
For cut flowers, harvest when most florets are in tight bud to early open (Aug–Sep); stems last well in the vase. Young leaves and tender shoot tips are edible in small quantities in spring; use sparingly in salads or lightly cooked. For seed saving, leave some heads to mature and dry on the plant.
Common issues
Root/stem rot in poorly drained or waterlogged soils; prevent with drainage and careful watering. Aphids may cluster on flower stems—wash off with water or use insecticidal soap. Slugs/snails can damage seedlings; use physical barriers and hand-picking. Vine weevil larvae can affect container-grown plants—use nematodes and avoid peat-heavy mixes. Flopping/legginess occurs in shade or excess fertility. Powdery mildew is uncommon but can appear in crowded, dry-air conditions—improve airflow and avoid overhead watering.
Pollination
Insect-pollinated; highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
Companion plants
Ornamental grasses (Festuca, Stipa), Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Aster, Achillea, Salvia, Lavender, Thyme, Allium.
Incompatible plants
Moisture-loving or shade-demanding plants such as Hosta, Astilbe, bog plants; plants needing rich, constantly wet soils.
