The busiest part of the spring planting season has passed, but it’s still not to late to add more variety to your perennial garden. One great plant to consider is Heuchera, pronounced hoo-ker-a, a popular perennial for shaded areas. According to Allan Armitage, author of ‘Herbaceous Perennial Plants’, there are fifty to seventy species of Heuchera native to North America and due to the tremendous popularity of this plant with homeowners and landscapers more species are coming into use. The most common and widely planted member of the genus is Heuchera sanguinea, commonly known as Coral bells, which is grown for its attractive flowers. The related American alumroot, H. americana, is grown for its ornamental foliage.
Coral Bells popularity is due to the ½ inch long, red flowers produced on airy spikes above the foliage that persist for 4-8 weeks. Although still relatively small, the flowers are much larger than those found in many of the other Heuchera species, and removing the flower heads as they begin to fade results in an extended bloom time. The plant has a small stature at only 18 inches tall and should be placed toward the front of a perennial planting. H. sanguinea grows best with very good drainage and partial to full sun. Plants perform poorly in heavy clay soils, so add organic matter to the soil before planting. Popular cultivars (cultivated varieties) of Coral Bells include the following:
‘Apple Blossom’- white flowers with red margins.
‘Bressingham Hybrids’- a seed propagated line with coral, red and pink flowers.
‘Raspberry Regal’- raspberry-red flowers on tall bare stems. Makes a great cut flower.
‘Snow Angel’- green and creamy white mottled foliage with spikes of pink flowers.
H. Americana, American alumroot, is grown for its ornamental evergreen foliage and performs best in rich, moist, well-drained soil and full to partial shade. The leaves are 4-6 inches long and heart-shaped with 5-7 rounded lobes. The species produces young foliage with mottled purple coloration that changes to green as the leaves mature. The foliage should be located in the shade and provided with consistent moisture to ensure that new leaves are produced throughout the growing season. Too much sun can cause the plants to become washed out and ragged by the end of summer. Popular cultivars and hybrids of American alumroot include the following:
‘Amber Waves’- ruffled amber-gold foliage with light rose-colored flowers.
‘Bressingham Bronze’- good, stable, deep purple foliage color with somewhat crinkled leaves.
‘Marmalade’- bright shiny foliage ranging in color from umber to deep sienna
‘Purple Palace’- ivy shaped, deep purple foliage. May fade to bronze-green under hot summer conditions.
‘Purple Ruffles’- purple, ruffled foliage with small, white flowers.
These are just a few of the many great cultivars of both Coral Bells and American alumroot worth trying in the garden.
