Heuchera

heuchera

( HEW - ker - ah )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Coral Bells or Alum Root, this genus of colorful-foliaged perennial plants includes species which need full sun in cooler climates and partial shade otherwise. Provide these flowers with moderate to regular water to ensure good performance in the landscape. Coral Bells will attract birds to the garden. Leaves are rounded, sometimes with scalloped edges, and flowers are dainty and range in color from white to green to shades of red and pink. Use these plants in rock gardens, as groundcover, in mixed beds in front of shrubs, or as edging for beds. They also make wonderful additions to mixed container plantings.

Heuchera Species and Varietals

The best growing zones for Heuchera are USDA hardiness zones 4-9, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivared. For more information, read the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Heuchera x brizoides (Coral Bells, Hybrid Coral Bells, Coral Flower, Bristly Heuchera)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-10 and 14-24, this species reaches 1-2.5 feet tall and 1-1.5 feet wide, with spring or summertime flowers. The Bressingham Hybrids group offers plants with profuse blooms in shades of pink and red. Other cultivars include 'Firefly' (also called 'Leuchtkafer', with fragrant scarlet flowers), 'Chatterbox' (with dainty pink flowers), and 'June Bride' (with large white blooms).

Heuchera spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Heuchera, Hybrid Coral Bells)
This group of Hybrid Heuchera varieties grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-24. These plants reach about 1.5 feet tall and bloom in summertime on 2-3 foot tall stalks. Choice varieties are listed and described below.

'Amethyst Myst'
With deep burgundy new leaves that age to silver with dark purple veining.

'Caramel'
New foliage is dusky red and turn various shades of apricot before maturing to yellow-gold.

'Chocolate Ruffles'
Leaves are ruffled on the edges, and are dark brown on top with burgundy undersides. Flowers and spikes are purple.

'Chocolate Veil'
Brown leaves veined with silver and purple with purple undersides. Flowers are purple tinged with lime green.

'Citronelle'
This variety has chartreuse to lemon yellow leaves.

'Creme Brulee'
Foliage is peachy-orange and flowers are creamy-yellow.

'Crimson Curls'
Ruffled deep red leaves that fade to greyish green in summertime.

'Georgia Peach'
New leaves are peach colored, and mature through red tones to a rose-purple with dark veins and a silvery sheen.

'Ginger Ale'
Foliage is ginger-gold with silver markings and flowers are yellow and pink.

'Green Spice'
Foliage is silver-grey with dark green to purple veining.

'Lime Rickey'
Chartreuse leaves have ruffled edges.

'Mahogany'
Leaves are slightly ruffled and are purple when new, maturing to a deep red.

'Marmalade'
Leaves are ruffled. New foliage is bright red, aging to orange and red-brown. Flowers are deep red.

'Miracle'
Chartreuse foliage splotched with burgundy tones matures to red edged with gold. Pale pink flowers.

'Moonlight'
Black-purple leaves have silver sheen, and flowers are pale green and a bit larger than other varieties.

'Obsidian'
Leaves are deep burgundy (almost black) with a silver sheen.

'Peach Flambe'
Apricot to peach leaves blush with purple in cooler weather.

'Persian Carpet'
Foliage is silver with dark purple veining and margins.

'Pewter Moon'
Silver leaves are maroon underneath. Blossoms are pink.

'Pewter Veil'
Silvery leaves have dark veining, and flowers are small and purple.

'Plum Royale'
Purple, shiny leaves have dark purple veins. Color is better in full sun exposure.

'Ruby Veil'
Large silver leaves with red veining near leaf bases.

'Shenandoah Mountain'
Purple-bronze leaves have a silver sheen to them.

'Silver Scrolls'
Foliage is silvery with dark purple veins.

'Snow Angel'
Light green leaves are marked with cream. Flowers are pink-red.

'Southern Comfort'
Large leaves are peach-orange when new, and mature to copper, amber, and peach.

'Stormy Seas'
Ruffled leaves have silver, lavender, and pewter tones with red undersides.

'Tiramisu'
Chartreuse foliage has red in the center when new, and leaves turn mostly red with a bright gold edge when mature.

'Velvet Night'
Deep blue-black-purple leaves have a silver sheen.

'Vesuvius'
Burgundy leaves and bright red flowers.

Heuchera maxima (Island Alum Root, Island Alumroot, Jill-of-the-Rocks, Giant Alum Root, Channel Islands Coral Bells)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 15-24 and is native to the Channel Islands. These plants reach 1-2 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Leaves are deep green and flowers are white to pink and bloom in early springtime. This species makes a great casual, low-traffic area groundcover.

Heuchera micrantha (Crevice Alumroot, Small-Flowered Alumroot)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-10 and 14-24, and is native to California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Leaves are grey-green and form mounds of foliage. Late spring to early summertime flowers are white to green and bloom in clusters. Varieties include 'Martha Roderick' (with bright green leaves and pink flowers), 'Painted Lady' (purple leaves marked with silver), 'Palace Purple' (rich brown to purple leaves), and 'Ruffles' (deeply lobed and ruffled leaves).

Heuchera sanguinea (Coral Bells, Alumroot, Crimson Bells, Southwest Coral Bells)
This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-24. It is native to New Mexico and Arizona, and has scalloped edged leaves and slender flower stalks. Varieties include 'Cherry Splash' (with red flowers and white and gold variegated leaves), 'Frosty' (with silver-marked foliage and red flowers), 'Geisha's Fan' (silver leaves have purple veins), 'Snow Storm' (green leaves marked with white and red flowers), and 'White Cloud' (with light green foliage that has silver flecks and profuse white blooms).

Caring for Heuchera

Choose a space in the garden that receives full sun or partial shade (the more shade the better if cultivated in a warm climate). They perform best in the landscape when they get at least a half day of sun, especially varieties with colorful foliage. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Heuchera plants appreciate consistent waterings that keep the soil moist but not soggy. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is not required, though deadheading will help to encourage more bloom spikes to form and will also discourage self-seeding. Divide plants every few years for health, especially if they are being grown in a cramped area or a container. For instructions on how to successfully divide Heuchera plants, see the Propagation section below. Heuchera plants are considered short-lived perennials, surviving in the landscape for 3-4 years before needing to be replaced. They will form clumps over time which can be divided, and non-sterile cultivars will also re-seed freely in the garden, providing new plants indefinitely.

Growing Heuchera in Containers
Heuchera, or Coral Bells, can grow either in the ground or in containers. They are compact plants that can be used as filler at the base of a potted arrangement, in a window box mixed with taller plants, or on their own. Choose a container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom and fill it with a well-draining soil amended with organic matter and perlite. Apply a layer of mulch to the top of the soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Heucheras planted in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground; as a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch and do not allow soil to dry out between waterings. Divide plants every few years for health. For instructions on how to successfully divide Heuchera plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Heuchera plants are best propagated either by division or by seed. Simply follow the instructions below to propagate your Coral Bells flowers.

Propagating Heuchera by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants, and can be done in spring or fall. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate, as they need to be divided every few years to keep them healthy; otherwise, the roots will become crowded in their growing space. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw or scissors, extra pots, and well-draining soil to fill the pots. To propagate your Heuchera by division, follow the instructions below:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw.
Fill your pot(s) with potting soil and water to ensure that they are draining well. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground the following summer.

Propagating Heuchera by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that propagation by seed does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate plant by division. To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow the flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not completely deadhead all of the flowers. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest in summer or fall, when the flowers have dried and are brown in color. Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and take the seeds out of their pods. To grow Heuchera from seed, follow these directions:

Gather your materials. You will need a pot or seed tray, a spray bottle filled with water and potting soil.
If you are growing just a few seeds, you can use a pot, though if you are growing more than just a few, use a growing tray. Prepare your pot or growing tray by filling it with potting soil.
Place your seeds on top of the potting mix, spaced about 4- 6 inches apart. Sprinkle potting medium over the top until the seeds are covered. As the seeds are starting out, it is best to use a spray bottle to add moisture to avoid uncovering their light soil topping. Keep the soil moist as the seeds develop, using a seed tray cover or plastic to cover your pot to keep moisture in and humidity high.
Continue to monitor for moisture and adequate soil covering until the seeds start to sprout, which should take less than a month, and pot up when they begin to outgrow their containers. Once the chance of frost has passed by, seedlings can be transplanted to a sunny area of the garden in the following spring. Keep the soil moist as the plant develops.