Years ago my neighbor Helen, gave me a couple of Sedum plants. In case you are not aware, I have a slight phobia…a fear of killing plants, especially plants that people give me. As done in the past I planted the two Sedum plants in a place where I was confident they could survive. I knew they could take sun but other than that, my knowledge about the plant was little. 
Not too long after that Helen was diagnosed with cancer, we would often speak to one anther when she was out in her yard, she visited our home a coupled of times and I had the joy of serving her tea and soaking up her wisdom. Although we were not extremely close friends, it was more my admiration for her, her gentle ways and our love of plants that drew us together. She and her husband were building their retirement home next door to us when I was pregnant with my 4th child, in fact they moved into their home the week Riley was born, almost 19 years ago. Helen was wise, witty and a joy to be with. My respect for her grew and my grief was deep when she died. I didn’t share that with many people. As you can imagine, I’m really fond of those plants she gave me. Year after year they faithfully come back and bless me with many memories of Helen.
Recently I rediscovered the art of rooting plants. I use to do this all the time when I was younger. It was an affordable way to increase the amount of houseplants I had. I no longer have houseplants, but I recently shared with you how I accidentally found out that the potato vine can be propagated by simply pinching off a piece and placing it in water, you can read about that here. I wondered if this would work with Sedum. I googled this question and found out you can root Sedum leaves by pulling them off, dip the end into root stimulator and plant in soil, when it develops a root base then you can transplant into your pots or flowerbed. That’s great but could I root in water? 
Guess what?
It works!
there was even new growth while rooting in the water! Last weekend my mother in law shared with me that Sedum is hard to destroy 🙂 who knew? and that it multiples from year to year (come to think of it, it does get bigger every year) …and that it can be divided. Sweet! because I just learned during my recent visit with my oldest daughter, that she wants to plant Sedum around her property.
They just moved into their new home in the Hill Country of Texas. Oh my does she have some property.
While taking some pics before I left, I was drawn to this area
my photography skills are not the best, so let me just say that I did not capture the full beauty of this spot. Also, the camera just can’t see inside my head and capture what I’m thinking when I look at this spot.
I love that little trail that seems to beckon one to follow to unknown adventures. Can’t you just picture some Sedum growing under and around this little grouping of trees? Now I can share some of my Sedum that Helen shared with me.
There might be one catch though… my daughter’s property has a lot of deer roaming and eating. The big question…Is Sedum a deer resistant plant? I’ve read several opinions, some say the deer will nibble at it.
What’s the real story? Will deer eat Sedum or not?
Is Sedum the miracle plant that it seems to be? Hard to kill by black thumb gardeners like me, can leaf root, stem root and divide!!!! amazing!
We may just have to wait and see.
Do any of your plants have stories or stir up special memories? I’d love to hear them, just leave your story in the comment section, I’m sure others would enjoy reading about them too.
Blessings,
Rustique Art 
We’ve been so busy I haven’t sent you a pic of what happened to the front grouping of post oaks! Let’s just say we’ve learned that post oaks crack and fall on a whim 😦
Autumn~ so good to know that about post oaks; I always figured all types of oaks were strong and not susceptible to cracking and dropping large limbs. It was a blessing no one was standing around it when it fell.
How touching….Helen must have been a wonderful woman! I too, have many plants that were given to me by my beloved mother-in-law, who passed away from cancer 5 years ago. I also have lots of Sedum!!! Which I didn’t know could be rooted by placing a cutting in water! I cut back my Sedum every May so that it will get bushier and have more blooms by late summer. All those tops I cut off could make baby plants if I’d put them in water instead of letting them fall to the ground! Thanks so much for the tip! I don’t know if deer like Sedum…our yard is fairly deer proof (lots of dogs), but I am doubting they would eat it…just my guess! Great post Cindi 🙂
Deena~ I didn’t know cutting it back would make it bushier 🙂 Should have since I top off several other plants in my yard. Thank you for sharing, I would love to have more sedums, so maybe I can get a good batch started here before the cold sets in…that would be about December here!
The small herd of deer that hang out around and in my yard have never touched any of my different sedums.
Teri~ Thank you for letting me know that. Since I don’t live where deer graze in my yard, I’m not familiar with what they find tasty. I will continue to collect and root various types of succulents, sedums and vines and see what will thrive in my daughters yard.
such a nice story about the sedum. I grow sedum too and find it to be resistant to frost, draught and summer heat. I grow a different variety that is more of a ground cover and has tiny yellow flowers. My partner and I are sentimental about plants too and we cultivate a few specimens because of the memories they represent. Lovely post 🙂 xo Diane
Hi Cindi, loved your story about your sweet neighbor and I just put a cutting of sedum in water. It’s a deep purple grey variety that I want more of. I was given hydrangea plants by my daughter-in-law when my two grandchildren were born. She knew she would probably kill them. One is 6yrs old and one is 9years old as are my Grandkids . I cherish these plants. I have so many plants in my garden that have been given to me by friends and as I walk around tending them, each friend’s face comes to mind and I smile and say a little prayer. 🙂