I saw the neatest thing the other day. I was at a plant wholesaler with one of the landscape contractors I work with, picking out hundreds and hundreds of impatiens for a client, when I got sidetracked by this sedum tile, a mere 20″ x 15″, it’s an instant something…but what?
Neat, huh? It literally stopped us in our tracks. Not only was it bright and colorful, it was different.
In a place where there are thousands and thousands of plants – evergreen trees, flowering shrubs, perennials and annuals in a rainbow of colors – all vying for your attention, but all somehow the same, here was this little mat, no more than 4″ tall, lying on the pavement… full of possibilities.
Manufactured by Etera, the sedum tile is actually supposed to be used as part of an instant extensive green roof system.
Possibilities…
But I can tell you that no one at the wholesaler was eyeing the sedum tile with a green roof in mind. According to one of the sales guys, the sedum tiles were an extremely popular item. Lots of landscape designers and landscape contractors were buying them, and most admitted they had absolutely no idea what they were going to do with them.
What was so intriguing about them was that the possibilities are endless. You could almost see the wheels turning when people first saw them.
Similar to a piece of sod, the sedum tile requires about 3″ – 4″ of soil in order to grow. Hmmm….
The sedum is attached to a coconut fiber mat, just like the liners many of us use for our planters. After a few weeks of contact with soil, the sedum begins to root, again like sod, and starts to knit itself into the soil.
It’s already a tight mat of plants so it would make a great mulch, or container liner…perhaps a colorful alternative to moss.
So what will we do with our sedum tile? We bought it to ‘wow’ a new client who made a passing comment about liking the look of succulent containers. But honestly, we bought it on a whim.
Will we plant it in a container? Maybe we’ll use it between some stepping stones along a sunny path? Perhaps as a lawn alternative in an area that doesn’t get any foot traffic? Weed-suppressing ground cover at the edge of a sunny bed?
The possibilities are truly endless. We’re leaning towards a sedum and sempervivums container but who knows what the final outcome will be.
What would you do with your very own sedum tile?
I’ve seen it planted in a deep frame and after it roots it’s hung on a wall as an art work. The frame is covered with hardware cloth or wire fence with holes large enough to poke in the sedum its filled with soil then after rooting its hung and sprayed to water.
John, That was my first thought when I saw it, a vertical accent. But after working with it and seeing how delicate the cocoa backing is, I wonder how it is ‘pinned’ in place to resist the forces of gravity?
Set upon a large platter, add candles…instant centerpiece!
Perfect!
Love the sedum tile. Funny your post comes at the same time I’m looking for the right container to create my own sedum planting. I’ve always loved the simplicity and constant interest of massed sedum and want to create a tapestry of sedum in the right container. I already fill hanging baskets (lined with coconut fiber) with sedum to give an early and no-care green punch each spring. The sedum even overwinters well in these coconut-lined hanging baskets. The ultimate easy perennial.
Joene, I think the perfect container will be the issue. I wanted a rectangular container that was about 5″ deep, like lasagna pan, but couldn’t find one anywhere. Good luck with your search.
I love the look of it…I think I would use it to edge a gravel or stone path where it is dry and sunny
Donna, Sedum and gravel seem to be made to go together…like peanut butter and jelly.
I can see why you bought this, it really has that wow factor. But like you, I’m sure there’s tons of possibilities but not entirely certain what they would be. I am vaguely visualizing a very formal garden area, squares of these with squares of gravel in checkerboard pattern.
I hadn’t thought about that possibilities but I love it. All we need are a few chairs and some drinks!
Fess up ! How do the rest of us get any Perfect ground cover for sun at the edge of a bed. Please tell me the wholesaler so that I can have someone order some.
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I just saw this sedum tile at the store. I wonder how it would stand up to gophers. Anyone know?
Wondering if one can plant sedum tiles over daffodils and have them still come up