Heuchera: A Kaleidoscope Of Color For Shady Gardens

 

 

 

 

Heuchera (Coral Bells or Alumroot) is one of the most popular of shade garden plants, due in large part to the great variety from about 40 species and hundreds of cultivars available. They all have palmately lobed leaves that come in diversity of colors ranging from nearly plain green to wonderful shades of red, yellow, orange, peach, burgundy and white, often in interesting variegation patterns. This great diversity is due in large part to the relative ease with which plants of different species can be interbred. In addition there are numerous cultivars of intergeneric hybrids between Heuchera and Tiarella, generally known as x Heucharella.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While now it seems that most Heuchera are grown for their colorful foliage, some still do have quite attractive flowers that may even be used as a cut flower. In particular cultivars of H. sanguinea, has attractive, usually red, bell-like flowers that are borne in a panicle, held well above the foliage. In many other Hechera species or cultivars, the flowers are also quite attractive but in some the flowers may go unnoticed or are even thought of as a distraction to the foliage.

 

Heuchera usually grows as a clump that gradually expands in size as new shoots arise near the crown to produce another rosette of leaves. Most of the time, the true stems are not visible, just the leaves. The leaves may be evergreen in a protected location or beneath winter snow cover but usually the old leaves will not be very attractive by spring. They may also be browsed by rabbits and other animals during the winter and early spring as new growth resumes. Propagation is usually by division of larger plants but most cultivars are now being propagated commercially through plant tissue culture. Smaller cultivars may only grow to about 8” in height and width while other cultivars or species may grow to 12 to 18” in height, particularly when in bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

Plant Heuchera in a shady to partly shady location. They prefer to have moist soil all summer long but can withstand short periods of drought. Individual specimen plants look good but you can achieve a much more dramatic affect when they are planted in groups of six or more plants, spaced about a foot apart. Heuchera is also an excellent plant to add to mixed pots with its nice compact growth habit and interesting foliage colors to compliment or contrast with the foliage colors and textures of other plants.