Sedum rupestre (Blue Spruce Stonecrop)

Blue Spruce Stonecrop earns its common name completely: the narrow, needle-like leaves are arranged tightly around the stems in a way that genuinely echoes a miniature spruce branch, and the foliage color is a clear blue-gray that intensifies to silvery blue in full sun. It forms a spreading, mat-like ground cover that stays under six inches tall and creeps steadily outward, rooting as it goes. In summer, it sends up clusters of bright yellow star-shaped flowers that stand out vividly against the cool blue foliage.

This is one of the most reliable and versatile of all ground-cover sedums. It handles full sun and dry soils with no complaint, making it ideal for slopes, parking strip edges, rock gardens, and other spots where the soil is lean and the irrigation budget is low. It grows well in wall crevices and between stepping stones, and its spreading habit fills gaps quickly once established.

The Sedum rupestre species is also noted as edible, with young leaves usable fresh in salads.