The sedum: a water-sipping lawn alternative

Sedum spurium. ‘Tricolor.’ So named because green leaves are mottled with cream and edged in pink. Pink flowers in late summer.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Sedum brevifolia. Strands of tiny leaves form a carpet of medium green.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Sedum rupestre. ‘Angelina.’ With a little stress -- lots of sun and no water -- tips turn orange or red. Yellow flowers in summer.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Sedum hispanicum. Almost-flat species grows as a carpet of mint green tinged with red.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Sedum makinoi. Light-green leaves stand out against reddish stems. Tiny, star-shaped flowers.  (Mark Boster / LAT)

Sedum spurium. ‘Dragon’s Blood.’ Dark red flowers. Green foliage will turn orange-red when stressed.  (Mark Boster / LAT)