Rhodiola rosea - Roseroot

Rhodiola rosea - RoserootSizes available: TBD Basics: zones 1 7, 6 12 inches, maybe taller in flower, full sun to part shade, yellow to brown flower in late spring to early summer (later at higher altitudes), likes sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils, needs impeccable drainage and is drought tolerant. Can take a bit of shade, but sunny yet cool exposure is preferred. This plant is dioecious. Common names: Roseroot, Roseroot Stonecrop, Arctic Root, Golden Root, Aaron's Rod,

Sizes available: TBD

Basics: zones 1-7, 6-12 inches, maybe taller in flower, full sun to part shade, yellow to brown flower in late spring to early summer (later at higher altitudes), likes sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils, needs impeccable drainage and is drought tolerant. Can take a bit of shade, but sunny yet cool exposure is preferred. This plant is dioecious. 

Common names: Roseroot, Roseroot Stonecrop, Arctic Root, Golden Root, Aaron's Rod, Rosewort, King's Crown, Orpin Rose

Synonyms: Sedum rosea

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin/Distribution: This plant is circumboreal at northern latitudes. In the U.S. the populations are scattered and disjunct. According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center it occurs in ME, CT, VT, NY, PA, NC, and TN and in northeastern Canada. It is also present in the Arctic, and the mountains of Central Asia and parts of Europe. Native to Maine.

Habitat: sea cliffs, mountainous and rocky terrain, high altitudes, north facing cliffs, balds, and talus slopes

More: Dioecious, salt tolerant, medicinal, edible, endangered. More information coming soon. 

Source: sown at Honey Petal Plants with seed collected in Washington County, Maine and provided by the North American Rock Garden Society seed swap or with seed from Jelitto

Image credits: Jelitto Staudensamen GmbH; Wikimedia Commons