Border stonecrop hybrids vs Showy stonecrop

Border stonecrop hybrids and Showy stonecrop are often considered for the same spot in the garden (flowers, pollinator friendly, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Border stonecrop hybrids

Hylotelephium × hybridum 55 cm × 50 cm after 10 years

The upright autumn stonecrops sold by cultivar name: clumps of fleshy stems and leaves that carry flat flower heads from late summer to late autumn,…

Perennial

Full sun

from about €4.70

Showy stonecrop

Hylotelephium spectabile 50 cm × 50 cm after 10 years

A succulent perennial forming a neat clump of fleshy, blue-green leaves, with flat, hand-sized flower heads from late summer into autumn that are…

Perennial

Full sun

from about €4

Key differences

Showy stonecrop also takes heavy clay, Border stonecrop hybrids needs a loose, free-draining soil.
Showy stonecrop is cheaper: about €4.10 at the size usually planted, against about €6.10 for Border stonecrop hybrids.

Which one to choose?

Showy stonecrop is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay or price matters.

Watch out for

Border stonecrop hybrids

In rich, irrigated soil or part shade the taller cultivars grow lanky and the clump splits open in the middle; cutting the stems back by half in late May helps. In heavy, waterlogged soil the crown and roots rot, mostly in winter. Slugs, snails and vine weevil grubs can damage it, and powdery mildew may appear on very dry sites.

Showy stonecrop

In rich, moist soil or with too little sun the stems fall outwards at flowering time and the clump opens in the middle; pinching the shoots back by half in late May and dividing every few years helps. In waterlogged soil the crown and roots rot. Aphids, slugs and vine weevil larvae attack it occasionally, and deer like to browse it.

The data side by side

Feature	Border stonecrop hybrids	Showy stonecrop
Group	Perennial	Perennial
Size after 10 years	55 cm × 50 cm (uncertain)	50 cm × 50 cm (uncertain)
Ultimate size	30–75 cm × 30–60 cm	30–60 cm × 30–60 cm (uncertain)
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Full sun	Full sun
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous	Average garden soil, Sandy, Clay, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	High (uncertain)	High
Foliage	Deciduous (uncertain)	Deciduous
Flowering	August–October, pink, red, purple (uncertain)	August–October, pink, red, white (uncertain)
Water need	Low	Low
Drought tolerance	High	High
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	45 cm	40 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	approx. €6.10	approx. €4.10

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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