Orpine - Sedem telephium - €7 per plant

Orpine is a herbaceous perennial, and like all plants from the Sedum genus, is edible. The new growth in spring tastes best and when combined with other spring leaves makes a wonderful salad. The Plants grow to form clumps providing good ground cover during the growing season. The plants tolerate shade making this a good addition to the herb layer in the forest garden.  Late in the season, Orpine delivers delightful clusters of purple flowers providing a great source of nectar for the Bees.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: E. Europe - Caucasus
  • native habitat: Hedge banks and the shady sides of damp woods
  • family: Crassulaceae

Predators

  • No diseases or pests of significance

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, semi shade or full shade  
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Known Hazards

  • None known

Overview

  • Perennial growing to 0.5 m  by 0.3 m.
  • In flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September.
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, self.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • Can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • Prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous perennial
  • layer : Herb Layer
  • habit: Clumping
  • height x width (m):0.5x0.3
  • years to bearing :  0
  • productive life span: 10-15 yrs

Products & Uses

  • Leaf: edible leaves and young shoots, Root - cooked. Used in soups, stews
  • Flowers: nectary, attracting pollinators in early autumn   
  • Medicinal: Various medicinal properties
  • Seasonal Ground cover

Functions, behaviours

  • It is noted for attracting wildlife.
  • Sedum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera
  • A plant species with a Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) -  an alternative type of photosynthesis
  • Late flowering
  • Quickly forms large clumps
  • Easy to propagate from cuttings
If you would like this plant send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project