Phedimus spurius 'Voodoo'

If 'Dragon's Blood' is moody, Phedimus spurius 'Voodoo' is downright dramatic. This is one of the darkest selections in the Phedimus spurius family, with foliage that runs deep red-burgundy across the whole plant — leaves, stems, the works. It intensifies further in sun and cold, moving toward a near-black burgundy that's genuinely striking in a rock garden or low border. The crimson flowers that appear in summer just add to the whole production. This is not a subtle plant, and it doesn't pretend to be.

Hardy to Zone 3, 'Voodoo' is as tough as it is theatrical. It spreads to form a dense mat that suppresses weeds and covers ground efficiently, making it as practical as it is eye-catching. Full sun brings out the most intense color. It pairs beautifully with silver-blue or pale chartreuse foliage plants, where the contrast is almost electric. In the Pacific Northwest, where our wet gray winters can make a garden feel a bit washed out, something with this much color and presence is genuinely valuable. Plant it where you need a focal point at ground level, or use it in masses on a sunny slope for a carpet of deep color that looks dramatic from spring through fall. 'Voodoo' earns its name every season it grows.