This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This low maintenance, long-flowering succulent is a great addition to pots, alpine beds and sunny borders. It forms a low, spreading mound of blue/green leaves, which from midsummer, are topped with large, heads of raspberry-pink, star-shaped flowers. It looks great when planted in drifts, and the flowers are rich in nectar, so are irresistible to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
  
  
• Garden care: The spent flowerheads look great left during the winter to add shape and texture to your border. In February and March cut back the old flowerheads and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. Once established, sedums can have a tendency to flop leaving an open and unsightly centre, especially in fertile soil. One technique to help prevent this is the 'Chelsea chop'. During the last week of May (Chelsea Flower Show week), cut one in every three stems back to the ground. This will produce plants that are less lush and flower slightly later.