woodland wildflower
Woodland stonecrop
Sedum ternatum
Also known as Wild Stonecrop
1 of 2Native to much of the USA
New York to southern Michigan and east-central Iowa, south to Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas; an escape further north and east
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–May Flowering time
- Height up to 8 in to 20 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 8 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 5–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Woodland stonecrop's white flowers bloom April to May, peaking in April. This early-spring ephemeral draws bees.
Woodland stonecrop blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (22): AL, AR, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- New York to southern Michigan and east-central Iowa, south to Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas; an escape further north and eastThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Thin, limey soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Neutral to alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 8 in (to 20 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.