Hi! I have a very small garden area and would like to plant for butterflies as much as possible. I understand that Sedum Autumn Joy is a great one and easy to grow.

My question is about sun needs. I'll be planting it in a pot and I know that it needs great drainage, but it's listed as needing full sun. As I understand it, full sun means between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight.

Would this plant do well with less? Depending on the time of season, it would probably get only about 4 hours average, and maybe a tiny bit less. I do hope so because I'm loving all the pictures I'm seeing of this plant with butterflies on it!

It will tend to flop more if it gets less than optimum sun. To be honest I see more bees on it than butterflies.

sooby said:It will tend to flop more if it gets less than optimum sun. To be honest I see more bees on it than butterflies.

Hmmmmm.....

Here is autumn joy with west 1/2 day sun exposure in zone 4b Michigan.



Here, north exposure 2-3 hours of sun

katesflowers said:Here is autumn joy with west 1/2 day sun exposure in zone 4b Michigan.



Here, north exposure 2-3 hours of sun

Oh, wow! But which one is it, north or west? West being what, 3 - 4 hours of sun?

Woops, hit finished and I wasn't!
North exposure, autumn joy, 2-3 hours of sun at most:



East exposure, all morning sun:






And, here in the northeast exposure with no sun at all:


The autumn joy are a snap to propagate. In spring through midsummer you can trim a stem and stick it in the ground with only the top 2" above ground. All that I have shown you were started that way.
I love them.
I notice every pollinator we have around here are on the flower heads, including butterflies.

katesflowers said:Woops, hit finished and I wasn't!
North exposure, autumn joy, 2-3 hours of sun at most:



East exposure, all morning sun:






And, here in the northeast exposure with no sun at all:


The autumn joy are a snap to propagate. In spring through midsummer you can trim a stem and stick it in the ground with only the top 2" above ground. All that I have shown you were started that way.
I love them.
I notice every pollinator we have around here are on the flower heads, including butterflies.

Wow! Okay then, these are beautiful! Be right back....I'm buying my first one now!

Wahoo.

"I notice every pollinator we have around here are on the flower heads, including butterflies."

I agree with Kathy -- mine are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and lots of other bugs. And, even though mine are in more or less "full sun," they still tend to get top-heavy and flop over at times; putting a ring-type cage around them (size depending on the size of the plant), will help keep them upright.

! Ordered and due to be shipped soonest! I was going to order two but then I realized, thanks to you all, that I could use cuttings just as easily! Yaay!

I have Brilliant/ Neon and Autum Joy, all with about 4 hours of sun, all attract bees and butterflies. Great plants!

I've had them grow a new plant from a leaf that broke off and was lying on the soil.

Weedwhacker said:I've had them grow a new plant from a leaf that broke off and was lying on the soil.

People keep saying that! It sounds impossible but I can't wait to find out!

They make a great hedge when you line the plants up. Nice and orderly, no pruning needed all season.
At fall cleanup you can leave them for winter interest, but come early spring [or fall, your choice] they should be trimmed to the soil line.
They form next year's plant from new growth buds at the soil line.

katesflowers said:They make a great hedge when you line the plants up. Nice and orderly, no pruning needed all season.
At fall cleanup you can leave them for winter interest, but come early spring [or fall, your choice] they should be trimmed to the soil line.
They form next year's plant from new growth buds at the soil line.

Thanks you! Great advice! I'm going to print it out and include it in my simple calendar!

joannakat said:Hi! I have a very small garden area and would like to plant for butterflies as much as possible. I understand that Sedum Autumn Joy is a great one and easy to grow.

My question is about sun needs. I'll be planting it in a pot and I know that it needs great drainage, but it's listed as needing full sun. As I understand it, full sun means between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight.

Would this plant do well with less? Depending on the time of season, it would probably get only about 4 hours average, and maybe a tiny bit less. I do hope so because I'm loving all the pictures I'm seeing of this plant with butterflies on it!

My Autumn Joy Sedums have been growing in 3'wx 2'tall cages for 20 years at least. They get about 5 hours of sun these days and are doiung fine. In fact, they are spreading. This Fall, I will dig up the shoots on the outside of the cages and expand them.

It is hard to find a more durable and dependable Fall plant than Autumn Joy. I intend to spread them around.

I've never seen an insect or disease problem with them, and they aren't invasive. I've never seen a voluntter elsewhere in the yard (more than I can say for many perennials). I suppose the seeds are sterile. In fact, it was only last year after 20 years that 2 of them sent up shoots outside the original cages.

From 2 years ago...

Self-seeding?
Normally I have never seen Autumn Joy set plants from seed ... except this year...surprise. Look!
This is a wall with a north exposure.

katesflowers said:Self-seeding?
Normally I have never seen Autumn Joy set plants from seed ... except this year...surprise. Look!
This is a wall with a north exposure.

That's both beautiful and encouraging! North exposure, does that mean not much sun time?

You are correct, Joey, not any direct sun. We had a strong nor-wester come through and it buried any seeds nicely against this wall. I have loads of seedling coral bells in that area, too. All will be transplanted next spring.

katesflowers said:You are correct, Joey, not any direct sun. We had a strong nor-wester come through and it buried any seeds nicely against this wall. I have loads of seedling coral bells in that area, too. All will be transplanted next spring.

Excellent. Thank you!

If you left one or two there, do you think they would flower?