Q: Our sedum is on the south side of the house, and it’s always done well. This year, there were no blooms, and it doesn’t look healthy. It gets adequate watering, the same as other years. Any help you can offer would be appreciated. — Mary K.

A: Upright sedums are among the most colorful fall perennials. Autumn Joy and other cultivars begin blooming in September and are sometimes still blooming during the first snowfall.

Two factors probably affected your sedum’s poor performance this year, Mary. Our long stretch of unusually hot September weather wasn’t the preferred weather for the development of fall color, including flower formation on sedums.

Fall-blooming perennials are accustomed to cooler temperatures, and extended periods of heat can throw them off balance. Our own sedum did

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