Heuchera Plant
Heuchera plant is also known as Coral Bells or Alum Root and is famous for its bright colourful leaves.
By planting different varieties of this plant you can get a combination of colors.
The leaves vary in color, shape and texture – they can be round, triangular and even heart-shaped.
The colors of Heuchera range from gold and bronze, to green and silver, and from pink and reddish, to deep purple. There are plenty to choose from for your garden design and Heuchera can also change the coloration of its foliage through different seasons and environments.
There are about seventy species native to the North American continent, but numerous hybrids are popular as well, distinguished by particularly attractive leaves and flowers.
Heuchera flowers appear towards the end of spring and last around 6 weeks or even for longer periods sometimes. The flowers are bell shaped and usually cream or reddish in colour. During the flowering period the height of Heuchera stalks can reach from 1-3ft.
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 properly fertilized. If there is sufficient fertiliser, it will encourage better growth brighter colored leaves.
Heuchera prefers partial shade, 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 sunlight damage.
They will not die off if exposed to full sun, but they will be smaller in size and won’t be as as attractive as they should be. Darker varieties, with purple leaves are more tolerant of heat and bright sunlight.
Heuchera Planting and Care Guide
Heuchera, or 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 for flowers as well as foliage, it is recommended to carry out the ‘deadheading’ 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. This is crucially important to protect 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, but sometimes they can be attacked by Japanese beetles.
Diseases are not expected either, though occasionally they can get powdery mildew and fungal diseases such as leaf spot and scorched leaves.
Unhealthy conditions will increase the likelihood of the plants getting sick.
Protect Heuchera from bright sunlight and avoid over watering as water logged soil may cause rotting of the roots.
Heuchera varieties – Coral Bells
How to use Heuchera
Heuchera plants look great if used as a carpet of ground cover, and they are especially beautiful in rock gardens.
Among the most popular types of Heuchera plants are Palace Purple Heuchera and Heuchera Maxima.
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 main beauty of this shade 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.
This is one you’ll want to collect with all its colour diversity and foliage texture, not to mention the dainty flowers. It’s an easy plant to grow.
