Black Jack Stonecrop

Other Names: Autumn Stonecrop, Showy Stonecrop

Description:

An impressive and commanding perennial for the mid-border, with rosy pink flowers in late summer held over succulent deep purple foliage and shiny near-black stems; tolerates dry conditions, may grow floppy in rich soils

Ornamental Features:

Black Jack Stonecrop features beautiful clusters of rose flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to late fall, which emerge from distinctive deep purple flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It's attractive large succulent round leaves emerge dark green in spring, turning deep purple in colour throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The black stems are very effective and add winter interest.

Landscape Attributes:

Black Jack Stonecrop is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance perennial, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and bees to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Black Jack Stonecrop is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use
• Mass Planting
• Groundcover
• Container Planting
• Border Edging

Plant Characteristics:

Black Jack Stonecrop will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years.

This perennial does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This plant can be propagated by division.

This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.