Stake sedum if floppy

Late-flowering sedums thrive in poor, gritty soils – if the growing medium’s too rich, then weak and floppy stems are often the result. Similarly, stems can become spindly if planted in too much shade. If your sedums are starting to flop, the short-term solution is to place several 50cm (20in) stakes around the clump, then tie twine right round it, pulling it taught between each stake. After they’ve finished flowering, lift your plants and incorporate lots of sand and grit into the soil before replanting them, or move them to a sunnier spot. Divide sedum every three years and prune them back to 20-25cm (8-10in) in early summer to keep your plants healthy and compact.