Petrosedum rupestre 'Angelina'

If you've got a dry, sunny spot that you've given up on, Petrosedum rupestre 'Angelina' is your answer. This is one of the most widely grown and widely loved groundcover sedums for good reason — it's fast, it's tough, and it's absolutely stunning. The needle-like foliage starts out a brilliant golden-chartreuse in spring and summer, almost neon in full sun, and then as temperatures drop and dry stress kicks in, it transitions to fiery shades of orange and copper-red. It's like having a tiny sunset spreading across your garden from late summer through fall.

Growing 4 to 6 inches tall and spreading 18 to 24 inches wide, 'Angelina' covers ground with confidence. Midsummer brings small yellow flowers that complement the foliage nicely, though honestly the leaves are the main event here. It's hardy to Zone 4 and handles the full range of Pacific Northwest conditions: the long dry summers east of the Cascades, the soggy gray winters on the west side, and everything in between, as long as drainage is decent. Gravel gardens, rocky slopes, dry walls, hell strips — it thrives in all of them. 'Angelina' is the kind of groundcover that makes you look like you planned the whole color scheme perfectly, even if you just stuck it in the ground and walked away. Highly recommended, no apologies necessary.