x Heucherella

( hyoo - kur - ELL - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This hybrid genus, commonly called Foamy Bells, is a cross between Heuchera and Tiarella, and is filled with perennial plants that serve as great additions to rock gardens and can also make eye-catching shady groundcovers. These plants can take more shade than those in the Heuchera genus and are more adaptable than those in Tiarella. and Most reach up to 4-6 inches tall and about a foot wide at maturity. Flowers appear in late spring or summer and are usually pink or white, held above the foliage on upright stems.

x heucherella Varietals

The best growing zones for x Heucherella are USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-10 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

'Alabama Sunrise'
Deeply lobed, bright gold-yellow leaves with red veins with coral tones in cooler weather. White flowers.

x Heucherella alba 'Bridget Bloom'
Leaves are bright green and have red-brown marks on them. Flowers are pink and bloom from spring to midsummer.

'Burnished Bronze'
Bronze red leaves and pink flowers. To 4 inches tall.

'Capture the Flag'
With chartreuse-maroon foliage and white blooms. To 12-16 inches tall.

'Dayglow Pink'
Leaves are rich green and deeply cut, marked with brown hues. Blooms are pink.

'Eye Spy'
To 1 foot tall and wide with bubbly pink flowers and chartreuse leaves with red veins.

'Kimono'
Leaves are deeply lobed, green and silver with purple veins. Flowers are insignificant. 1 foot tall, 2 feet wide.

'Stoplight'
Apricot-colored leaves veined and centered with burgundy. White flowers. 1.5 feet tall, 2 feet wide.

x Heucherella tiarelloides
Leaves are light green and flowers are pink and bloom in springtime. Repeat bloom in fall.

Caring for x Heucherella

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, Heucherella 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 Heucherella 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 x Heucherella in Containers
Heucherella 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

Heucherella plants are best propagated either by division. These plants are sterile, meaning that they will not produce viable seed. Simply follow the instructions below to propagate your flowers.

Propagating x Heucherella by Division
Division can be completed 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 Heucherella 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.