Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum
Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum
Variegated Kamtschaticum is a tough, low-spreading groundcover sedum that brings cream-and-green texture to Twin Cities rock gardens, slopes, and pathway edges in Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, and Plymouth.
About Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum
| Botanical Name | Sedum kamtschaticum 'Variegatum' |
| Mature Size | 4-6in tall × 12-18in spread |
| Bloom / Foliage | Bright yellow star-flowers Jun-Jul; pink fall color |
| 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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.
Groundcover sedum with cream-edged leaves
Cream-edged foliage that brightens shady rock gardens. That's why Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 4-6in tall × 12-18in spread in mind — give Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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. Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Variegated Kamtschaticum 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. Cream-edged foliage that brightens shady rock gardens.
How fast does Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum grow?
Moderate — clumps slowly expand year-over-year. Expect mature size (4-6in tall × 12-18in spread) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum 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 Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum Do I Need?
As a low, spreading groundcover sedum, this one is planted by area to knit into a mat. At a 12–18 in. spread, set plants 12–15 in. apart. To carpet a sunny patch:
| Area | Plants Needed (at 14 in.) |
|---|---|
| 10 sq ft | 7 |
| 25 sq ft | 18 |
| 50 sq ft | 35 |
| 100 sq ft | 70 |
Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Cream-and-green succulent rosettes leaf out early and spread into a tidy mat.
- Summer: Bright yellow star-flowers cover the foliage in June–July, drawing late-spring bees.
- Fall: Foliage flushes pink and rosy for warm late-season color.
- Winter: Low rosettes persist near the soil; reliably hardy to -40°F.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a taller sedum cousin for vertical contrast and rusty fall color.
- Little Bluestem — upright native grass that thrives in the same dry, sunny ground.
- Paprika Yarrow — flat red bloom clusters for the same lean rock-garden soil.
- Prairie Dropseed — fine native grass that softens the edge of a sedum mat.
Is Variegated Kamtschaticum Sedum Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun and gritty, well-drained soil — rock gardens, slopes, boulder plantings, and pathway edges are perfect. Deer leave the succulent foliage alone. Not a fit for wet, heavy, or shaded sites, where overwatering and soggy ground will rot the crown.