This plant is special to me for many reasons. It grows anywhere it’s planted, is drought tolerant, is absolutely care free, it gets pretty lavender/pinkish flowers in late summer that attracts butterflies and is insect resistant. This vintage sedum plant has been in my family for generations.
Vintage sedum plant
My grandmother, who died 6 years before I was born, grew the perennial plant sedum in her garden. My mother took cuttings when she married in 1945 and planted them in her small yard. When my parents moved from their home in Philadelphia, they made sure to gather a few cuttings to plant in the yard of the house built by my dad.
Moving from the city to a New Jersey suburb was a huge adjustment for my parents. In the mid-1950’s, even in this new community, some of the streets were not yet paved. My sister and brother remember wearing colorful Wonder bread bags over their shoes to keep them free of mud as they walked to school.
This new home had a nice-sized yard and like the inside of the house, it was rather sparse in aesthetic character when they first moved in. Both hard workers, my parents continued their efforts to create their dream home. My baby carriage sits out front.
This photo of my sister and I dressed for a Sunday outing shows the beginning of a flower bed that would include bushes, shrubs, perennials, the sedum and annual flowers.
Years passed and the bushes and plants grew, walls were papered, curtains made and hung and life was lived. This is the house where my childhood years were spent.
Cuttings from vintage sedum
When my husband and I moved into our first home, Mommy gave us cuttings from her sedum. She was so excited to share something of her own dear mother, though we never met. I have subsequently brought pieces to each home in which we had lived.
We can track the plant back to the 1930’s and who knows where it came from before that.
Sedum attracts monarch butterflies
Making the sedum even more special is that in August and September I often find beautiful monarch and swallowtail butterflies lighting on the blossoms. They also attract little white cabbage moths which for some reason my youngest daughter always called garbage butterflies … she loved chasing those garbage butterflies 🙂
Recommended for full sun, I find sedum grows anywhere I plant it, including shady locations.
Funny Punster:
While my sons-in-law were playing soccer in the backyard with the little grandchildren, several of these plants were trampled. With a sheepish grin one of these young men apologetically said to me,
“Now you sedum, now you don’t.”
Gotta love him! And, I do 🙂
the plant is very beautiful.
Plants are a lovely way to remember loved ones no longer with us! I have a peony that was my grandmother's and even though it is red (I try not to have red in my garden)it is one of my favorites just because it was hers.
The butterfly is perfect on the sedum ~ great photo!
Blessings!
How beautiful Mrs.H!
That butterfly is breathtaking!!!
Blessings~ Jen
A beautiful heirloom plant! I love the ones passed down from family. And I just love the "garbage butterflies" and the sedum pun!!! So funny!
Michele
p.s. My mom (Lady Farmer) has been trying to get to your blog, but has been having technical difficulties. =} She asked me if I would let you know, she's thinking of you!
M
What beautiful flowers. I think I need this plant!
Enjoyed visiting as usual,
Laura
What a great thing to pass on, a living plant. My sedum is a red leaved one and like yours it will grow anywhere and seeds itself all over the place. Thanks for sharing, have a good weekend.
Very Pretty plant. That is amazong that it grew from passed on cuttings~ That is a special plant for sure. I am sure you enjoy the Monarch's fluttering around as well. ~Blessings Heather
I've never heard of it — how neat!
That plant certainly has a special lineage.
I have several varieties of sedum,and really enjoy them all. I think my favorite is Autumn Joy, it is tall and blooms deep burgundy in the fall.
Hi!
This is a great plant! I have some I got from a friend. She has passed on now, every time I look at this plant I think of her. It is called Lives Forever. You can find more info on this plant here: https://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Wildflowers_Kimonis_Kramer/PAGES/LIVEFOREVER_PAGE_FINAL.html Have a great day!
Sherrie
https://splummer-aviewofmylife.blogspot.com/2009/06/friday-memes.html
I like Sedum and there are so many varieties. I also like sharing plants across the generations. Thanks for the sharing and the story.
Beautiful babies and how blessed you are to have 4 girls.
Mama Bear
Thanks for sharing the story of your "Vintage Sedum". Beautiful plant and butterfly.
Glenda
Beautiful lacy blossoms! And the origin is very special – I have a Christmas cactus (for nearly 40 years) that was my paternal grandmother's. My show & tell is about flowers today, too. Thanks for sharing!
https://weedsandwildflowersdesign.typepad.com/treetop_outlook/2009/06/show-tell-friday-little-corner-flower-garden.html
I love the stories you add to the pictures each Friday! You have a way with words, and I get to know you a little better each week! I hope your weekend is terrific.
Nice shots. You have something interesting to share with others – the story behind the plant. Those are precious. Thanks for sharing.
A flowery bush with a family history–you gotta love it. Now, about that son-in-law … what a clever guy!
Here's my Show and Tell:
https://smilingsally.blogspot.com/2009/06/abused-china-cabinet.html
How amazing that you can trace the heritage of your Sedum back 3 generations!!! Beautiful. One precious, witty child!!
Susan
This is just so amazing!!! I love the flower, the photo of the butterfly ON the plant…and the fact that it has a family history makes it more precious.
My Show and Tell is now posted. Won't you pop over for a chat and a spot of tea?
Very cute. Now you Sedum… =0)
Blessings, and thank you for showing your beautiful pics with us.
Barbara Jean
Interesting history of the plant! Wonderful that it has carried on the tradition through all the years!
Love the joke!
Katherine