Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells or Alumroot, is a genus of evergreen, herbaceous perennial plants in the family Saxifragaceae, all native to North America. There are 50 to 70 species of Heuchera. Today's improved varieties are hybrids showcasing various foliage colorations and flowering characteristics.
Coral Bells are the perfect perennials to brighten up any garden throughout the entire growing season with their colorful foliage. Coral Bell forms attractive basal mounds with heart-shaped, rounded, or triangular leaves, which can be smooth, wavy, or ruffled. The leaf coloration varies by cultivar but mainly includes various hues of amber, bronze-green, green, gold, pink, purple, deep purple, and silver veined. In many instances, the coloration of the leaves varies with their environment and often changes with the seasons. In most locations, they are considered evergreen as the foliage lasts throughout the year. They produce clusters of cream to red-colored coral bell-shaped flowers on tall, wiry stems that rise above the basal foliage in the late spring. Depending on the cultivar, they bloom for a few weeks or throughout the entire season.
Coral Bells are commonly used as accent or specimen plants, woodland gardens or rock gardens, and groundcovers or mass plantings. They are commonly used in patio pots or as components in mixed containers. The flower panicles make fine additions to cut flower arrangements. Coral Bells attract butterflies and hummingbirds into the garden. They are also deer resistant.
Growing Conditions
Coral Bells prefer to be planted in locations with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. They particularly do not perform well in locations with poor drainage during the winter months. Most Heuchera cultivars will grow more vigorously and have the best leaf coloration when planted in locations with partial shade, particularly in the afternoon. Purple-leafed cultivars can tolerate more direct sun; generally, the darker the purple coloration, the more exposure to sun they can tolerate. Conversely, the amber and gold-leafed cultivars are less sun-tolerant; the more yellow the leaf coloration, the less tolerant to the sun they are. Most cultivars will usually survive in locations with full sun or full shade, but they will be smaller and not look as lively.
Coral Bells are generally hardy throughout Zones 4 to 9. However, several cultivars are hardy to Zone 3, and a few can tolerate the heat and humidity of Zone 11.
General Care
They are generally considered easy to grow and require little routine maintenance. Deadhead the spent flower spikes as needed to encourage continuous flowering or repeat bloom. Mulching during the summer months will help keep the soil moist and prevent heat injury to the shallow root system. Coral Bells can be divided every 3 to 4 years if they lose vigor or when the crown gets too large.
Pests and Diseases
Generally, Coral Bells can be grown without any insect or disease problems. Bacterial and fungal leaf spots, Botrytis, Japanese beetles, powdery mildew, and strawberry root weevils may occasionally, but not usually, become problematic. Some cultivars may get leaf scorch when planted in hot, full sun. Overly wet conditions during the winter months can lead to some plants rotting out. Where climates fluctuate, frost heaving (where the plants push themselves up out of the ground) can be a concern; mulching before winter may help prevent this problem.
Source: gardencrossings.com
Links
- Back to genus Heuchera
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin