Witch’s Moneybags

Witch’s Moneybags: A Quirky Succulent for Your Garden

If you’re looking for a plant with both an intriguing name and impressive drought tolerance, witch’s moneybags might just cast a spell on your garden. This distinctive succulent, scientifically known as Hylotelephium telephium telephium, brings a touch of old-world charm to modern landscapes with its fleshy leaves and late-season blooms.

What’s in a Name?

Witch’s moneybags gets its whimsical common name from the plump, purse-like appearance of its thick, succulent leaves. You might also encounter this plant listed under several botanical synonyms, including Sedum purpureum, Sedum telephium, and Sedum triphyllum – names that reflect its complex taxonomic history.

Origins and Distribution

This perennial forb originally hails from Europe and Asia but has made itself quite at home across North America. You’ll find witch’s moneybags growing in an impressive range of locations, from Canadian provinces like Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, all the way down to states including Connecticut, Virginia, and even as far west as Washington and Idaho. It’s established populations across much of the continental United States and parts of Canada, reproducing naturally without human intervention.

Should You Plant Witch’s Moneybags?

While witch’s moneybags isn’t native to North America, it’s also not considered invasive or noxious, making it a neutral choice for gardeners. Here are some considerations:

Reasons you might love it:

• Exceptional drought tolerance once established
• Beautiful late-summer flowers that attract pollinators
• Low-maintenance perennial that returns year after year
• Interesting foliage adds texture to garden beds
• Hardy across USDA zones 3-9

Things to consider:

• As a non-native species, it doesn’t support native wildlife as effectively as indigenous plants
• May spread beyond intended areas through self-seeding

If you’re interested in supporting native ecosystems, consider native alternatives like wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) or purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) for similar pollinator benefits.

Garden Design and Landscape Role

Witch’s moneybags shines in several garden settings. Its succulent nature makes it perfect for rock gardens and xeriscaping projects where water conservation is key. The plant works beautifully in cottage gardens, adding an old-fashioned charm, and serves as an excellent border plant in perennial beds. Its drought tolerance also makes it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.

What Does It Look Like?

This herbaceous perennial grows as a forb, meaning it’s a non-woody plant that dies back to ground level each winter and reemerges in spring. The thick, fleshy leaves range from blue-green to purple-tinged, creating an attractive backdrop for the dense clusters of small pink to purple flowers that appear in late summer.

Growing Conditions and Care

One of witch’s moneybags’ greatest assets is its easy-going nature. Here’s what it prefers:

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily)
• Soil: Well-draining soil is essential – this plant despises soggy conditions
• Water: Drought tolerant once established; minimal watering needed
• Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 3-9

Planting and Care Tips

Getting witch’s moneybags established in your garden is straightforward:

• Plant in spring after the last frost date
• Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for mature spread
• Water regularly during the first growing season, then reduce watering significantly
• Divide clumps every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor
• Deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding
• Cut back to ground level in late fall or early spring

Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits

While witch’s moneybags may not be native, its late-summer blooms do provide valuable nectar when many other flowers have finished blooming. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects appreciate this extended food source during the important late-season period when they’re preparing for winter.

The Bottom Line

Witch’s moneybags offers gardeners a reliable, low-maintenance option for challenging sites where drought tolerance is crucial. While it’s not native to North America, it’s not invasive either, making it a reasonable choice for gardeners who appreciate its unique character and easy care requirements. Just remember to consider native alternatives first if supporting local ecosystems is a priority in your garden planning.