Phedimus stoloniferus

Here's one for the shady corners and dappled spots that most sedums won't touch. Phedimus stoloniferus spreads by stolons — underground runners — to form a semi-evergreen mat of scalloped leaves that fills in gradually and reliably, reaching 2 to 3 inches tall and spreading 12 inches or more. The leaves have that satisfying rounded, scalloped edge that gives the plant a slightly refined look, and the pink flowers that appear in the warm months are a sweet addition. This is one of the few sedums that genuinely tolerates part shade, making it useful in situations where other stonecrop family members would stretch and etiolate.

Hardy to Zone 6, it's right at home in the Pacific Northwest's mild west-side climate — the mild winters suit it fine, and once established it handles summer dry periods better than you'd expect for a shade-tolerant plant. It does best with reasonable drainage, but it's not as fussy as some of its full-sun cousins. Try it under open-canopy trees, at the edge of a shrub border, along north-facing rock garden walls, or anywhere that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. It spreads slowly and politely — not aggressive, just persistent — gradually knitting together a ground-level carpet that reduces weeding and looks natural doing it. In the right spot, Phedimus stoloniferus is exactly what you needed and didn't know to ask for.