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HEUCHERA: Coral Bells

Coral bells have seen a dramatic rise in their use in the garden as more varieties come out with interesting foliage and flower combinations. They are a great addition to any garden as they look good in mass plantings or as border edges.

Coral Bells are a great contrast plant, work well in containers, and there are many cultivars to choose from that will grow in most garden conditions.

Heucheras form an evergreen clump of rounded, scalloped or fringed leaves with fine flower stalks that rise above about two feet with sprays of small pendulous flowers. The best varieties for full sun tend to be the solid purple and green leaved. Foliage that has more white (frosted) or yellow tones tends to bleach and burn in the sun.

With great foliage, colors, patterns and textures from purple to orange to green you can find one to compliment any color scheme. Heucheras are usually grown for their foliage, but more and more attention is being paid to the flowers in more recent cultivars and breeding efforts.

Locally here in Oregon, Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries is known for introducing new cultivars of Heucheras. The new cultivars coming out are hybrids of the species native to North America. One species that is being used in to increase the heat and humidity tolerance of Heuchera is H. villosa. If you see a cultivar that has a parent that is a villosa, that cultivar will do better in the sun and heat. Here are a few of our favorite cultivars: (Click on photos to enlarge)

Heuchera micrantha ‘Purple Palace’
This is a popular cultivar of the native Heuchera here in Oregon (H. micrantha) with deep purple-red leaves and stems and sprays of small white flowers. It is one of the older Heuchera cultivars and has proven itself a solid garden plant. Plant it in full to part sun where is will form a clump about 12 inches tall and wide with flowers stalks between 15 and 24 inches.

Heuchera ‘Rave On’
Flowers! This Heuchera is one of the heaviest spring blooming heucheras with hot pink flowers above beautiful silver-purple leaves. This one is hot! Takes full to part sun, 14 inches wide by 8 inches tall with flower stalks up to 20 inches.

Heuchera ‘Sashay’
Ruffled, deeply cut dark green leaves with surprising burgundy contrast on the underside of the leaves. ‘Sashay’ brings presence and interest to the garden or container. A great selection for heat and sun tolerance forming a mound 16 inches wide by 8 inches tall.

Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’
Gorgeous purple leaves with dark-pink speckles adorn this new Heuchera variety. Pink speckles appear in spring and get larger as the season progresses, perhaps eventually fading to a cream color. ‘Midnight Rose’ thrives in the full sun and forms a clump 16 inches wide by 10 inches tall with a 24 inch flower stalk. This is a sport of the popular H. ‘Obsidian.’

Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’
Amber-gold leaves with a light burgundy blush underneath and light-rose flowers make this a great plant that combines well with any color. A great complement plant for containers and your garden! Best in afternoon shade and makes a mound 17 inches wide by 8 inches tall with flowers stalks about 12 inches.

Photos courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries Inc.

Heuchera

FUN FACTS: HEUCHERA

Family: Saxifragaceae

Genus: Heuchera (HEW-ker-ah)

Common Name: Coral Bells, Alum Root

Origin: About 55 species from North America and Mexico

Culture: Heuchera are hardy in the Northwest (zones 4-9), mostly evergreen, and usually like afternoon shade with well-drained soil.

Heuchera bloom early spring to late summer in shades from red to pink to white and make great cut flowers. Once established they can be drought-tolerant, but they enjoy regular water. Some of the purple and green leaved cultivars will handle full sun.

Pests and Diseases: Root weevils can be problematic by feeding on the roots. This can be treated with nematodes at the correct soil temperatures. Mealy-bugs can also be a pest.

Maintenance: Heuchera are easy to care for and low maintenance. Dead-heading flowers (removing the spent blossoms) prolongs the bloom time.

Also, if the plants get a dry period in the summer, it might be necessary to cut off some the outer leaves if they start to look bad. During the winter, the plant may shrink to a smaller rosette and the dead outer leaves should be removed. If your heuchera forms a taller crown, it is time to divide it.

Propagation: Heuchera need to be divided every three to four years and are easily propagated from young rootstock. Just dig it up, take the young, vigorous roots and discard the old woody rootstock and replant. The best time to do this is in the spring.