Welcome to Colleen’s Corner. This is a column meant for fun and some information About myself: I am a Freelance Photographer you often see me on the side of the road or in various places taking photos of different things animals, birds, places, people etc. l have lived in Lumby for over 8 years, you have seen my photos in the newspaper (Lumby Valley Times) and once in awhile in the Vernon Morning Star, and the Lumby Art Gallery. Photography is my passion. Disclaimer: The information on some of my photos that I write about a lot of times come from the Internet or books I research them, hopefully the facts are as close to the truth as I can come.
By Colleen Fielding
It’s the middle of September and the wonderful pollinators still come to my yard. The Bees and Butterflies seem to love this plant I have called Autumn Joy, part of the Sedum succulent family. It goes by many different names; Showy Stonecrop, Iceplant, Butterfly Stonecrop, Orpine, and probably a few other names as well. When it first blooms in the late summer the starlike flowers that grow in tight dense clusters forming shapes that look like broccoli are more of a pink shade, then a brighter red, as time goes on they get lighter looking, now they almost look white. The leaves are wide, and shiny, the flowers grow on stems that appear to be fleshy.
When the winter arrives this flower helps to feed the birds and insects from its seed heads, making it a valuable plant all year long.
It doesn’t have a lot of height growing to about 20- 24 inches high and 18-24 inches wide.
I have never noticed a scent on them, at least not one that would grab your attention as you walk by.
These plants are originally from Asia, and they thrive in North America, they look spectacular in your gardens and they don’t need a lot of work, you might also see them growing in some fields and some woodlands.
Being from the succulent family they are of course drought tolerant which really helps when we are not allowed to water as often as we would like too. This flower is also deer resistant.
It loves full sun, well drained soil.
If you don’t already have this plant in your yard, you might want to get some, it is a nice looking flower that is good for your yard from summer through winter.
