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)
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.
SEARCH OUR SITE
Search our site for plant features