posted
I planted some one foot, well established Autumn Joy Sedums a year ago in the Spring. Some are in full sun, some in afternoon sun only. The blossom heads formed in the summer and seemed to get ready to bloom in the hot months,..but nothing ever happened, they never bloomed and then in October they just turned a rust brown color. I thought perhaps they were just settling in to their new environment. This year, however they did the same thing. They get adequate water. I've seen photos of these flowers in full bloom, and I'm sure they did not bloom, but they seem to have changed color anyway. What should I do to get them to bloom? The stems and leaves seem very healthy and they grew to about two feet tall this year. Please help if you have any ideas.
Plants: 4 | From: North East Texas | Registered: Nov 2005
| Seeded: 66.6.201.124
posted
I wonder if you are just to hot to grow AJ. Autumn Joy is not my favorite plant in this varitiey because it is not a pretty color. (photo below)
I have Brilliant and it is much prettier when in bloom.
AJ usually is such a dull color bloomer. It may be you were expecting something brighter. Is This the color you got?
posted
Yes, the color is similar to the photo of Autumn Joy but my flower looks much dryer. It never got little flowerettes like the Brilliant in the photo above. It only got buds of flowerttes......
Plants: 4 | From: North East Texas | Registered: Nov 2005
| Seeded: 66.6.201.124
posted
Yep that is the way my Autumn Joy looks every year. That is why I do not like AJ. It seems to have a tighter, dried up, dark looking flowerhead. Like I said not my favorite.LOL
posted
When I do a search for Autumn Joy Sedum Photos on the Internet there are many photos from Plant and Seed companies that show the Sedums actually blooming. I am wondering if yours also are not blooming? Since yours also look just like unopened buds,...the photos show something different that what you and I both have. Also,..all I hear about this Sedum is praise and I don't think anyone would be praising what I am growing vs. what I am seeing the Brilliant looks like. (?)
Plants: 4 | From: North East Texas | Registered: Nov 2005
| Seeded: 66.6.201.124
posted
I guess the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. LOL!
The seed and plant sites want you to buy this plant. I have never been impressed with the flowers. I did see it stated not to plant Brilliant next to Autumn Joy because it makes Autumn Joy look dead.
I have heard there is an improved AJ it is suppose to be a deeper red. I do not remember the name of that one But the flowerheads are still not as big as Brilliant or Neon. If you want large bright heads those are the two you will need to get.
If you would like some of my brilliant let me know I will send you some for postage.
posted
Thanks so much for the offer. I guess I will be taking out the AJ. I really don't have a lot of garden space and what I do have I don't want to waste on this dud. Too bad. I was hoping I could fertilize or something and make it all better. Not sure what I will replace them with, but may contact you next year if you don't mind regarding the Brilliant...Thanks!
Plants: 4 | From: North East Texas | Registered: Nov 2005
| Seeded: 66.6.201.124
posted
You can have some now. I have some already dug out I have it planted all over the yard. I love the color for Autumn. I dug some out to plant a bush so it is ready to put in a box if you are interested.
They are very hardy and will grow anywhere and it is the look you seem to be looking for.
posted
The new cultivar referred to earlier is called Autumn Fire. It is supposed to have a deeper color and stouter stems. The problem I always had with Autumn Joy is that some of the stems would end up falling over and breaking due to the heavy heads...this isn't supoosed to happen with Autumn Fire. Neon is probably my favorite sedum...the flower heads are larger and flatter and the color is very nice. They also don't get as tall as AJ.
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