Sedum 'Xenox' has several striking features: the leaves and flower stems are an unusual but highly attractive purple-brown shade, which beautifully sets off the dusky pink flowers, which darken as they mature. It creates a neat mound that looks good all season—from when it first develops its shape in late spring and early summer, right through to when it is cut back in late winter in readiness for the next year’s new growth.

Bred in The Netherlands almost 20 years ago, Sedum 'Xenox' is ideal for the front of a border in full sun or part-shade. It makes a good subject for a patio pot, too. It’s a great choice for attracting bees and butterflies. The only word of caution is that this Sedum (and in fact all Sedums) dislikes over-wet soil.

The heads may be left on the plants for winter interest or, if you enjoy flower arranging, you may cut the flowers (either when in full colour, or when dried at the end of the season), for indoor decoration.

Hylotelephium telephium (Atropurpureum Group) 'Xenox'ᴾᴮᴿ is considered such a good plant, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have awarded it a coveted Award of Garden Merit.