Peter Dowdall: Why sedums are the stars of the autumn show in our gardens

Bees absolutely adore sedums. Stand by a clump on a warm afternoon and you’ll see honeybees, bumblebees and hoverflies practically queuing up to work over every tiny floret

In recent years, breeders have come up with an array of new sedums. File picture

There's a point in the gardening year, usually around late August, perhaps you’ve noticed it already, when everything starts to look a little tired. The first flush of roses is long past, many perennials are starting to flop or brown at the edges, and even the lawns can look worn out from summer foot traffic and sun.

It’s at this time that sedums step up and quietly steal the show, offering fresh colour and structure just when the garden feels like it’s running out of steam.