Autumn Fire Sedum
Autumn Fire Sedum
Autumn Fire Sedum brings late-season color to Twin Cities pollinator gardens in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Wayzata — an improved selection of the classic Autumn Joy with deeper rose-red flowers that don't flop.
About Autumn Fire Sedum
| Botanical Name | Sedum 'Autumn Fire' |
| Mature Size | 18-24in tall × 18-24in wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Pink-to-rose-red flat clusters Aug-Oct; rust-red seed heads |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hrs) for best color and form. Some varieties tolerate light shade. |
| Water Needs | Very low. Highly drought-tolerant — overwatering is the most common way to kill a sedum. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam if well-drained. Prefers gritty or sandy soil — amend clay with sand or gravel at planting. AVOID wet sites. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F. |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — sedum succulent foliage is unappealing to deer |
| Foliage | Succulent — fleshy leaves in green, blue-green, burgundy, gold, or variegated. Many turn brilliant red-burgundy in fall. |
| Growth Rate | Moderate — clumps slowly expand year-over-year |
Why You'll Love Autumn Fire Sedum
Rock gardens + dry sites
Sedums are the rock-garden classic — handle dry, gritty soil and intense sun without complaint. Perfect for boulder plantings, slope stabilization, and crevice planting.
Fall color
Tall sedums (Autumn Fire, Autumn Joy) become vivid rust-red in September-October, a key contributor to the late-season Minnesota garden.
Pollinator gardens
Sedum blooms are critical late-season nectar — bees and butterflies flock to them in August-September after most perennials are past peak.
Improved Autumn Joy with deeper red fall flowers
Stronger stems than Autumn Joy — no flopping. That's why Autumn Fire Sedum has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a sedum we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Autumn Fire Sedum in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun (6+ hrs) for best color and form. Some varieties tolerate light shade. Choose a location with the mature size of 18-24in tall × 18-24in wide in mind — give Autumn Fire Sedum room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam if well-drained. Prefers gritty or sandy soil — amend clay with sand or gravel at planting. AVOID wet sites. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Autumn Fire Sedum so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Autumn Fire Sedum needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Very low. Highly drought-tolerant — overwatering is the most common way to kill a sedum. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Autumn Fire Sedum through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Cut back to ground level in early spring before new growth. Tall sedums (Autumn Joy / Autumn Fire) keep dried flower heads through winter — leave standing for interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Autumn Fire Sedum hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Autumn Fire Sedum is rated for zones 3-9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Stronger stems than Autumn Joy — no flopping.
How fast does Autumn Fire Sedum grow?
Moderate — clumps slowly expand year-over-year. Expect mature size (18-24in tall × 18-24in wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Autumn Fire Sedum?
Rarely browsed — sedum succulent foliage is unappealing to deer. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Autumn Fire Sedum in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs) for best color and form. Some varieties tolerate light shade.
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Autumn Fire Sedum in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Autumn Fire Sedum across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Autumn Fire Sedum grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Autumn Fire Sedum Do I Need?
Space Autumn Fire 18–24 inches apart for a solid late-season mass. For a drift along a bed, plan about one plant every 1.5 feet:
| Drift Run | Plants Needed (≈18 in. apart) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 7 plants |
| 20 ft | 13 plants |
| 30 ft | 20 plants |
| 40 ft | 27 plants |
For a bold fall statement, plant in groups of 3–5.
Autumn Fire Sedum Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Rosettes of fleshy blue-green succulent foliage push up; cut last year's dried stems to the ground.
- Summer: Tidy mounds build, topped by flat, broccoli-like flower heads in pale green.
- Fall: Heads color up pink and deepen to rose-red from August into October, drawing bees and butterflies for critical late-season nectar.
- Winter: Flower heads dry to rust-red and stand stiffly through snow for winter structure — leave them up until spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Little Bluestem — a native grass whose copper fall color partners the rust-red heads.
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright plumes that contrast the sedum's flat clusters.
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — a sun-and-drought partner that blooms into fall.
- Adam's Needle Yucca — bold architectural foliage for the same lean, sunny conditions.
Is Autumn Fire Sedum Right for Your Yard?
Autumn Fire is at its best in full sun and lean, gritty, well-drained soil, where it stands tall without flopping and feeds late pollinators. It's not a fit for wet, soggy clay or shade — overwatering is the most common way to kill a sedum, and too little light makes the stems sprawl.