I am finding that this plant keeps a much darker chocolate color if given more shade. It also looks it's best if watered regularly and planted in fast draining soil. Something seems to nibble on it occasionally, marring the leaves. I think it is slugs that are feeding on it when it first emerges from dormancy. You can also see in the second photo that is dehydrated because our drought season has arrived (90° temps and no water). I will start watering for this growing season this evening. The leaves should quickly plump up.
Photo taken in 2011


Photo from today.

That is a truly beautiful plant! With a name like Chocolate Drop... If I were a slug, I'd find it tasty too! Beautiful!

Thank you Tara. It is tempting when I look at it.
Now I'm getting hungry.

Even the blooms are interesting.

Now where did I hide that candy bar!

On my way to the freezer to get a mini York Mint Pattie.

I have yet to try taking stem cuttings to see how well they will root. It would be nice to increase the size of the clump, making more of a statement with it's color.

If you want to try stem cuttings do it soon, as the plants will start shutting down for fall soon! Funny some are really easy and others root fast. Purple Emperor is hard for me to get going, not sure why.

That sure is a beautiful color Lynn.

I should do an experiment. Take a few cutting from each one and pot them up. Keep a chart on how each one does.
Chocolate Drop
Blue Pearl
And a couple more of the dark leafed sedum.

That's a good idea, most of them root quick.

On my way out to take cuttings.

Lynn, I dip mine in root tone and you might want to callus them a bit before planting.

Okay, I have begun the experiment using Xenox, Bertram Anderson, Plum Perfection, Chocolate Drop and Blue Pearl. We will see how this goes.
I took one stem cutting from each, except Bertram Anderson (2 stems). I cut each stem into 3 pieces and have them drying (callousing over). It is so hot here right now I think they will be ready to plant sometime tomorrow. I will use rooting hormone on each piece before planting into 5" pots. I placed the pots on the covered deck for some early morning sun, shade the rest of the day. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I didn't have to wait until tomorrow. It was so hot here that the cut ends are already calloused over. They have been dipped in water, then into rooting hormone, then planted.
The waiting begins.

You will have some new plants i just a few weeks.

I can't wait to see them grow. If I can get the Blue Pearl to grow, I don't know how it wouldn't work for the nurseries. We will have to wait and see.

Lynn that Blue Pearl really was pretty, I remember it!! Wishing you luck on your cuttings!

It will be interesting to see if they really are difficult to root.

You are reminding me that I want to take cuttings from the one I have which is dark red leaves and tannish blooms! I think having these lined up along a path would be so lovely!!!