Roseroot, Golden root
Unusually, for a clump forming, rhizomatous perennial plant, Rhodiola are usually dioecious in that male and female flowers normally appear on separate plants. R. rosea is however an exception and has male and female flowers on the same plant. This species of Rhodiola, unlike some others, is however a perfectly hardy plant when grown in a sunny rock garden or perhaps in hot, dry, sunny conditions in a border in front of a wall.
The other named used for this plant is Sedum rosea which gives guidance both as to what it looks like and how it will perform in a herbaceous border.
R. rosea has purple stems bearing fleshy grey-green leaves with red tinted tips. In summer it bears dense, terminal, corymbs of male and female yellow-green flowers which open from slightly pink buds.
Its rhizomatous root clumps are best divided in the spring and leaf cuttings root very easily in summer.
