When 'Black Jack' came out years ago, I thought it was awesome and bought quite a few. It started reverting to Matronna, and finally got to the point where I couldn't keep up with trying to remove the reverted stems. It's still a decent plant, but not the color I wanted where I have them planted.

I'd like another dark, substantive sedum. I have Purple Emperor, but the leaves are smaller than I want for a certain spot. I'd love to find a dark sedum with fairly large leaves that will stay dark. Xenox looks great, but I'm wondering about its hardiness (I read a few posts where people said they lost it), and whether it will keep its color over the years.

They've been there for years now, and I love them both.

The best dark foliage sedum I have seen (and grew in my old garden) is 'Postman's Pride. A dark wine purple (not reddish) that is held very nicely through the growing season.

Felisa, great to know it's been hardy for you.

Prairiemoon, I'd avoid Black Jack as much as I love the looks of it. I have four groups of three plants, and only a few dark stems left.

Gardengal48, that 'Rainbow Xenox' sounds so interesting! I just went on a search for 'Postman's Pride' and haven't seen a nursery I'm familiar with that offers it. I haven't seen it in my travels, but I think I have to get out to the nurseries more. :-) Thanks!

Looks like they straightened out the website, or the gremlins have gone in to eat dinner. (g)

I still love my Autumn Joy, but I have tried a few other sedums. Vera Jameson, Matrona, Purple Emperor, Frosty Morn, Autumn Charm, and last year added 'Elsie's Gold'. There's something about each one to like, but none of them, quite satisfy me the way Autumn Joy does. If the blooms would stay pink rather than turning brown quickly, I'd be completely happy with it.

Thanks Ruth, I will cross 'Black Jack' off my list. I went through that 'reverting' problem with Frosty Morn and don't want to do that again.

Autumn Joy with Pennisetum 'Hamelin'

(Well, I spoke too soon. No sooner did they fix one problem now there is another...The black diamonds with Question Marks, it used to do that to me, every time I used text editor and pasted to the thread, on just the quotation marks. It stopped doing it and now it's doing it again.)

I hear you -- I shovel pruned Frosty Morn this year after years of cutting solid green stems.

Contacted Santa Rosa, they sent a replacement, planted that in one of the foundation beds which is close to the house and much warmer, and has assorted Sedum cultivars growing in it. It proceeded to die through the summer! Could not tell you why....

YMMV.

My favorite Green is Brilliant. I do not like the muddy color that Autumn Joy's bloom ending.

If you like red Cherry Tart is pretty. It is not as tall as AJ but the color is so strong it stands out.

I used to pinch and plant Frosty Morn a few times throughout the summer. There was still enough green that I just got tired of the hassle.

I also plant my Purple Emperor cuttings when I trim it in spring, and they grow fine.

Black Jack was a different story. I don't think I ever got a cutting to root. (I was just sticking them in the ground like I do with other sedums.)

crunchpa, I never thought of doing that, it sounds like an idea worth trying.

miclino, I have 'Autumn Charm' too and it appears to have no reversion this year either. Second season. I need to move it to more sun though.

echinaceamaniac, that 'Blue Pearl' looks good, thanks.

I have another dark one called Linda and Rodney , but this one is much lighter and more open habit. The plant does not fall over.

I'm another who thinks "Brilliant" is the best plain green one - very nice flower color.

I have "Matrona" and love it - there's something about the pinkish white flowers against the dusky green/maroon-tinged leaves that is very appealing to me, it's an overall very attractive plant.