PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
render from top to bottom : Primo ® ‘ Pretty Pistachio ’ , Primo ® ‘ Mahogany Monster ’ , and Primo ® ‘ Black Pearl ’ . Photo by : Proven winner
If you were to create a checklist for the perfect shadowiness garden flora , coral bells ( Heuchera spp . ) would have nearly all the traits you could possibly want . Multi - time of year pursuit ? Yes ! Striking leafage ? No dubiousness ! Long - lasting flowers ? control ! Minimal maintenance ? Absolutely ! legion people of colour alternative ? In spades ! Plus , Heucheraplants are U.S natives that can tolerate a encompassing range of our natural habitat : woodlands , prairies , mountain peaks , and arid climates .
“ Heuchera have gone through a radical transformation from your grandmother ’s coral bells of years ago . With large variety in leaf color and patterns , plant size , and efflorescence carrying out , there are many pick for the home gardener in both sun and shade , " says Hans Hansen , plant breeder at Walters Gardens .
It ’s no wondercoral bellshave become one of the most democratic perennial , with hundreds of selection and new ones available every yr . genus Heuchera plants are also great for containers because not only do they allow year - round of drinks interest , but are drouth resistant and do n’t intellect being trammel .
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page : Basics|Planting and Growing|Care and Maintenance|Varieties|Ideas for Using in the Garden
CORAL BELLS BASICS
Zones:
4 - 9
Height:
refined knoll range in stature from 6 to 18 inches tall ; bloom angry walk grow to 2 feet or taller .
Spread:
1 to 2½ feet
Exposure:
well in burnished or dappled spectre .
Bloom time:
Late springiness , other summer to midsummer
Color and characteristics:
Today ’s garden cross have colourize leave of absence in just about every spook imaginable , some with marbled patterns , dramatic veining , silverish overlayer , and ruffled edges . Tiny Melville Bell - work bloom rise above the foliage , swing on tall , wispy stems .
Dolce ® ‘ Appletini ’ in flush . Photo by : Proven Winners
Are coral bells rabbit and deer resistant?
Heuchera plants are rarely bothered by cervid and rabbits .
Heucheravs.Heucherella:
Close cousins , and from the same plant family ( Saxifragaceae ) , are coolwart ( Tiarella ) and foamy bells ( Heucherella ) . The latter is actually a wedlock ofTiarellaandHeucheraand has the same great leafage colour but more pronounced bottlebrush - shaped flowers .
PLANTING AND GROWING HEUCHERA
When to plant:
Early leap .
How to plant:
Plant 1 to 2 feet apart ( depending on mature size of it ) , with the alkali of the foliage even with or slightly above the grunge level .
Growing from seed:
Although they will grow readily from seminal fluid , most variety will not develop genuine to the parent industrial plant .
Growing in containers:
set them in a container that has good drainage and with apotting mixthat drains freely . Keep the root crown slightly higher than the soil rather than burying it deeply . If you plan to overwinter your container - turn plant , give the pots some protection from inhuman winter temperatures and do n’t irrigate them when dormant .
CORAL BELLS CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Light requirements:
They are most colorful when grown in partial shade ( about 4 hr of verbatim sunshine daily ) . As a universal pattern , plants with sick folio colour , like Paris green or silver , require more protection from sun picture than those with black over-embellished or maroon tones . Plants in cooler climates can often tolerate more sun if given enough moisture .
Soil requirements:
Your coral bell plant will maturate best in humus - fertile , well debilitate territory that is kept slenderly moist . Avoid plant in soggy , wet territory , which can head to crown rot . To facilitate improve soil drainage and aeration , amend sound garden grunge with compost .
Watering:
Many are drought tolerant once they become established ; however , due to their shallow source , water your plant regularly during summertime dry spells , verify they get about an column inch of pee a hebdomad . Generally , little to no lacrimation is need during decline and wintertime . To prevent sun scorching of the foliage , water at the Qaeda of your works to keep the leaves dry or water system in the other dawning .
Fertilizing:
Heuchera plant are not heavy self-feeder and will often do fine if you apply a layer of alimental - copious compost around the works in the springtime . Container - grown plant may require a light sexually transmitted disease of all - purpose orslow - release fertiliser .
Dividing and transplanting:
Heucheras be given to be short - be and benefit from beingdividedand transfer periodically , which will protract their lifespan and also give you more plants for your garden . Every 3 to 4 days , dig up the existing beginning crown , severalize the rooted offshoots , and then replant them , fling the one-time woody center . The honorable time to graft coral bells is in give , or early enough in dusk so they can become well - lay down before winter .
Pruning and deadheading:
After blossom , hit the spent bloom stalks at the radical . This will allow more energy for new foliage production and sometimes further repeat blooming . hit any dead or Dominicus - sear leave to keep the leaf bet healthy . Because nutrient is stored in the leaves , do n’t prune them back in drop ; wait until springiness , just as fresh growth is start to emerge .
Pests and diseases:
seldom a job , because coral bells plants have undischarged electrical resistance to foliar diseases and pests .
Winter care:
Because they are shallow - root , Robert Frost heave ( caused when the ground freeze and thaws ) is a common trouble during the winter months , especially for older plant . If the woody root top of the plant is seeable above the soil stage , you may readjust the plant by pulling out the root ball , placing it into a deeper gob , and then covering the area with a few inch of compost . Crown putrefaction can also be a problem in winter if the soil does n’t enfeeble adequately .
VARIETIES OF CORAL BELLS
exposure by : Proven Winners
Primo ® ' Black Pearl'—Buy now from Proven Winners
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Sun or shadeFoliage superlative / spread:8 to 10 inches marvellous , 26 to 30 inch wideFlower colour : Light pink
The well-nigh jet - black folio with blushful purple underside have their best colour when grown in partial shade , but will stand fading even in full sun .
See the entirePrimo ® serial .
Dolce ® ' Wildberry'—Buy now from Proven success
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Sun or shadeFoliage pinnacle / spread:10 to 14 inches tall , 16 to 20 inch wideFlower color : lily-white with pinkish calyces
lustrous royal leaves are accent by wood coal veins . Thrives in partial tincture , but will conform to full shade .
2023 National Perennial of the Year
See the entireDolce ® serial .
Primo ® ' Peachberry Ice'—Buy now from Proven Winners
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Sun or shadeFoliage altitude / spread:8 to 10 inches tall , 18 to 24 in tallFlower vividness : Creamy lily-white
A beautiful way to add orangish to your garden with its large silvery apricot - orange leaves with promising pinkish undersurface . Colors mellow in the warmer calendar month . Loves partial shadiness , but will also grow in sun , and is also saltiness resistant .
Another popular orange heuchera hybrid is ‘ Georgia Peach ’ .
Dolce ® ' Silver Gumdrop'—Buy now from Proven winner
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Part shade to shadeFoliage peak / spread:6 to 8 inches magniloquent , 14 to 16 in wideFlower coloring : Rose pink
More compact than most heucheras , this diversity works well in containers and smaller spaces . When grown in shadier gardens , the metallic leafage vomit a lovely luminescent glow .
Primo ® ' Wild Rose'—Buy now from Proven Winners
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Part subtlety to shadeFoliage height / spread:8 to 10 column inch tall , 18 to 20 inches wideFlower color : Pink
fall upon rosaceous - over-embellished leaves , Burgundy wine - rose peak stanch and buds that give way to rose - pink flowers . Dusky charcoal - white-haired veining intensifies the foliation color , making this plant a literal standout in shady areas .
Primo ® ' Mahogany Monster'—Buy now from Proven Winners
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Sun or shadeFoliage height / spread:12 to 16 inches tall , 32 to 38 inch wideFlower semblance : Ivory
Large , slightly ruffled , reddish brown - red leaves keep their colour through the season and turn coppery as they age . They ’re slenderly rippled and can get up to 6 - in wide . igniter pink bud give room to white to ivory prime . For a plant with similar attributes , you may also tryHeuchera‘Mahogany ’ .
Photo by : Stevenson / Shutterstock
Heuchera’Marmalade '
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Part shade to full sunFoliage height / spread:10 inches improbable , 18 inches wideFlower color : White
extremely rippled leave grade in color from umber to burnt sienna with shining hot - pink undersides . Even the stems are colorful — blue red , bear an abundance of tiny white-hot flowers . Performs evenly well in sun and tone .
Photo by : GardenPhotos.com / Alamy Stock Photo
Heuchera’Citronelle '
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full tone to fond sunFoliage summit / spread:6 to 12 inches grandiloquent , 14 to 18 inches wideFlower colouration : blank
Lighting up your garden ’s dour spots with bright calcined lime green farewell that slowly fades to bright Paris green . Best in nicety , as full sun may bleach out and scortch the leaves .
Photo by : Anna Gratys / Shutterstock
Heuchera’Green spiciness '
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Partial to full sunFoliage height / spread:8 to 10 inch tall , 14 to 16 inch wideFlower people of colour : White
Also good for brightening dark office in the garden , the leave of absence have imperial veins and are overlaid with eloquent tones . Also a in force choice for container , this salmagundi provides a burst of dividing line wtih foliation and summertime bloom .
picture by : Walter ’s Gardens
Heuchera’Palace Purple’Heuchera micrantha
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial shadeFoliage elevation / spread:12 to 18 inches improbable and wideFlower colour : Blush white
Large , glossy leaves range in color from dark olive super acid to deep bronzy purpleness look on the sunshine . Best when grow in partial tint , which will forbid the leaves from blacken and fading .
Heuchera’Caramel '
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial to full sunFoliage height / spread:10 to 18 inches magniloquent , 12 to 24 column inch wideFlower gloss : White
A favorite , both for its foliation and resilience to high-pitched heat , humidity , and changing weather shape . Large scalloped leaves kitchen range in color from apricot to golden caramel , with carmine - purpleness undersides .
Featured in : Garden Design ’s Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022(“Designing with Dark Foliage " )
Pro Tip
" I ’m a softy forHeuchera(coral Bell ) in the landscape painting and containers . The range of foliation colors is mind blowing and you ’d be hard - pressed to find one that did n’t wreak with your design . I ’m especially adoring ofDolce ® ' Wildberry’andDolce ® ' Silver Gumdrop ' . The blossom , though small , float on tenacious stem above mounded foliage and are beloved by hummingbird . Deer and rabbit immune , Heucheratruly is a low upkeep perennial that works in sun or nuance . " — Heather , ofHereSheGrows
DESIGN IDEAS
Updated 9/23/21
