Heuchera Plant

Heuchera plant known also as Coral Bells is famous for its bright colourful leaves. That is why it is very easy to decorate your garden by planting different varieties of this plant - the combination of colours will bring a nice touch.

The leaves vary not only in colour, but also in shape and texture - they can be round, triangular and even heart-shaped.

The colours of these plants range from gold and bronze to green and silver and from pink and reddish to deep purple. They provide plenty of different colours to choose from for your garden design and plan. The Heuchera can also change the coloration of its foliage through different seasons and environments.

There are about seventy species of this plant which are native to the North American continent, but numerous hybrids are popular as well as they are distinguished by particularly attractive leaves and flowers.

The flowers appear towards the end of spring and last a few weeks or even for longer periods in some seasons. They are bell shaped and usually cream or reddish in colour. During the blooming period the height of Heuchera stalks can reach from one to three feet.

How to Grow Heuchera

Heuchera should be planted into a moist but well drained soil. Good drainage conditions are especially important in winter months.

The soil should be also properly fertilized. If there is sufficient fertiliser, it will encourage better growth of these plants and brighter coloration of their leaves.

As most of the shade loving plants, Heuchera prefers partially shaded places, which means it should be exposed to the mild morning sunlight and protected from the hot midday or afternoon sun.

Heuchera plants with light leaves are more susceptible to the sunlight which is why they should be protected especially carefully.

They will not die off if exposed to the full sun, but they will be smaller in size and won't be as fresh and cheerful as they should be. Darker varieties, with purple leaves, for example, are more tolerant to the heat and bright sunlight.

Heuchera Planting and Care Guide

Coral bells are supposed to be easy to grow and take care of. As with most plants, they require regular watering, fertilizing the soil, and appropriate lighting conditions.

If you grow them not only for the foliage, but for flowers as well, it is recommended to perform the 'dead heading' procedure when the flowers are faded or dead.

Carefully cut off the flower spikes as required.

Do not forget to mulch the soil, especially in summer months, as this is crucially important to protect the roots that are closer to the surface.

Possible Problems With Insects

There should not be any problems with insects when it comes to growing Heuchera in your garden, but sometimes the plants are attacked by Japanese beetles.

Diseases are not expected either, though occasionally the plants can get powdery mildew and fungal diseases such as leaf spots and scorched leaves.

Of course, unhealthy conditions will increase the chances of the plants getting sick.

Protect Heuchera from bright sunlight, and also avoid extra watering as water logged soil may cause rotting of the roots and consequently the whole plant.

How to Use in the Garden

Heuchera plants look great if used as a carpet of ground cover, and they are especially beautiful in rock gardens.

Among the most popular kinds of Heuchera plants are Palace Purple Heuchera and Heuchera Maxima.

Heuchera Plants for Sale

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Summary

Heuchera also known as Alum Root and Coral Bells, have low growing colourful evergreen foliage with spikes of flowers to 2 feet tall.

The beauty of this shade gardening plant is in its foliage.

Deep purple to red with a silvery overtone on the Americana, chocolate ruffles with ruffled leaves of chocolate on top and Burgundy wine colour underneath. Then there's pewter moon, silver with purple edges and veins, and so many more.

The flowers are red, pink and white. Bloom time is late Spring to midsummer, and will last at last at least 6 weeks.

To prolong the flowering time, cut back the flower spike to the base. Coral Bells are grown more for their flowers and Heuchera for foliage.

Propagate by division in Spring or Fall. Provide these shade perennials with a well-draining soil on the acidic side. Almost any soil will do as long as it drains well.

I personally would give these plants good soil such as; soil, compost and peat moss.

So this is one of those shade gardening perennials you'll want to collect with all its colour diversity and foliage texture, not to mention the dainty flowers. It's an easy one to grow.