Heuchera Plant

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

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

As for the colors, they range from gold and bronze to green and silver, and from pink and reddish to deep purple. Providing plenty of different colours to choose from for your garden design and plan.

Moreover, Heuchera plant can change the coloration of its foliage in different seasons and depending on the environment.

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.

Speaking of flowers, they appear in 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 color. During the blooming period the height of the Heuchera stalks reaches 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 a better growth of these plants and brighter coloration of their leaves.

As most of the shde 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, that is why they should be protected especially carefully.

They will not die off if exposed to the full sun, but 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 caring guide

Coral bells are supposed to be easy to grow and take care of. As most of the 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 'dead heading' procedure when the flowers are faded or dead.

Carefully cut off the flower spikes as it is required.

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

As for diseases, they are not expected either. Though occasionally the plants can get powdery mildew and fungal diseases such as leaf spots, scorched leaves, and a few other ones.

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.

Summary

Heuchera also known as alum root and coral bells, have low growing colorful evergreen foliage with spikes of flowers to 2 feet tall.

The beauty of this shade gardening plant is it's foliage.

Deep purple to red with a silvery overtone on the Americana, chocolate ruffles with ruffled leaves of chocolate on top and Burgundy wine color 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 it the good soil I always recommend, soil, compost and peat moss.

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

Heuchera Plant Photos

Heuchera Plants for Sale

Coral Bells - Hollywood Has white veiled foliage with lightly ruffled metallic leaves. Coral Bells are not known for their flowers, but their foliage. Has a plant spread of 18” and a height of 8”. Best to grow in medium wet, well-drained soils, in full shade. It can tolerate some morning sun. Look especially good around the edge of borders, near variegated plants, woodland edges, rock gardens, perennial borders, or in mass to form an attractive ground cover. Great for a beginner gardener.

Coral Bells - Snow Angel Has unique light green marbled foliage with light cream variegation. In the springtime, pinkish-red flowers appear that last into the summer Have a plant spread of 12” and a height of 10-15”. Best to grow in medium wet, well-drained soils, in full shade. It can tolerate some morning sun. Looks especially good around the edge of borders, woodland edges, rock gardens, perennial borders, or in mass to form an attractive ground cover.

Coral Bells - Silver Scrolls Has unique plum and silver foliage with deep purple veins, which mature to green. In the springtime, white flowers appear that last into the summer Has a plant spread of 12” and a height of 12-18”. Best to grow ‘Silver Scrolls’ in medium wet, well-drained soils, in full shade. It can tolerate some morning sun. Look especially good around the edge of borders, near variegated plants, woodland edges, rock gardens, perennial borders, or in mass to form an attractive ground cover.

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