Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Sedum
'Black Knight'
syn. Hylotelephium 'Black Knight'
Deeply on-trend with its dark sultry colours, Sedum 'Black Knight' creates a gorgeous and long-lasting impression. This knight in shining armour will come to the rescue of any flagging late summer gardens! Its aubergine-purple, almost black fleshy leaves with their metallic sheen are a huge asset all through the growing season, and contrast dramatically with the reddish-pink flowers. When these generous blooms arrive in late summer, they emerge from pink stems to form domed clusters of starry flowers in a lovely mix of magenta and rose-pink. This stunning stonecrop doesn’t get too big either, staying bushy and compact, and is also armour- clad with great disease resistance. As with all Sedum, 'Black Knight' provides feast for pollinators. Late in the season, bees really need and appreciate stocking up on that valuable food source to help see them through winter.
Sedum, now known as Hylotelephium, are typically tough as old boots, and Sedum 'Black Knight' is no exception. These resilient border plants have superb resistance to drought, often growing in poor, rocky soils. Supplied a bare roots, it’s a good idea to give them a soft start to begin with in small temporary pots before going out into more challenging conditions. Once settled, they’ll thrive in hot, dry sites, where the soil is free draining, and once they’re established they’ll look after themselves. As an element in the garden, they give a lot: beautiful leaf texture that contrasts well with other plants, pollinator-friendly and dramatic flowers, and then great winter structure if these are left on the plant to form decorative seedheads. The colours of Sedum 'Black Knight' are an added bonus, creating gorgeous contrasts with silver-leaved plants as well as other late-summer plants, such as Rudbeckia and Echinacea. You can also grow this strong and compact variety in patio containers and gravel gardens.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
-
Sedum 'Black Knight' syn.
Hylotelephium telephium 'Black Knight' - Flower colour
- Red
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Purple, near-black
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 9 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Dry
Free draining - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
-
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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