Heucheras

Also known as 'Coral Bells', they are a group of American plants that are found wild across Northern America and Mexico. Their normal growth is as a clump of foliage, from which spikes of small flowers rise in spring to summer. Of the 55 species there are small plants of around 10cm high to large clumps about 1 metre in height. There are not many of the species forms in cultivation in Australia.

The first one to be used as a parent was H.sanguinea. The progeny from this and a few other species formed the popular hybrids of the last half of last century. These were usually selected for their flower forms. Eventually these were crossed with the colored foliage types. There are two types of colored foliage: those with year round purple and those with the green overlayed with shades of silver. These were then crossed with large leaved forms like H. americana and H.pubescens. Heuchera 'Purple Palace' was very popular in the nineties and was soon used as a parent along with another popular American plant called 'Montrose Ruby'.

There are two avid breeders, Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries in Orgeon USA and Charles Oliver of Primrose Path of Pensylvania USA. These two plantsmen have revolutionised the world of Heucheras. Their selections are stunningly attractive and make excellent garden plants. They haven't stopped breeding yet. With the introduction of H. 'Amber Waves' there is the start for a whole new range of fliage colors.

Heuchera require moist but well-drained soil. They will do best in light shade during at least the hottest part of the day and the foliage may discolor or die back in the full sun of an Australian summer. However the modern cultivars are showing more tolerance of more sun.

Heucheras look best planted in large groups. Those selected for their flowers really look best in blocks of a dozen or so. Those selected for their foliage can be grown as single specimen plants, as blocks or as borders along paths and driveways. They provide year round color and look great planted with Hosta, Pulmonaria, Tiarella, Heucherella and even some of the new Correa selections.

Heuchera have few pests and diseases although plants that are too moist and shady may get some fungus problems during the summer, especially in the northern parts of Australia. Ensuring they have a bit more sun, more wind or less water should solve this. The worst insect pest of the heuchera-tiarella group is the Black Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus. Inspection of the wilted plants and killing the larvae is the best and safest way of garden control. Nursery control is best achieved with the introduction of parasitic nematodes.

 

 

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General comments

Heucheras or Coral Bells as they are commonly called, are extremely attractive and hardy plants. They are evergreen that can be planted singularly or in groups. Heucheras make excellent border plants. They also perform well in tubs or underneath any medium sized flowering shrubs. Mature plants can be divided up and replanted in spring. There are many different forms of this delightful plant, collect them all and make your garden a colorful place to be.

'Amber Waves' description:

Heuchera 'Amber Waves' is the first of a new generation of foliage colors. In the words of the breeder 'Oh-mi-god! We have discovered the new neutral color'. It has stunning, ruffled amber gold foliage with light rose colored flowers on tall but delicate stalks. It will produce a mo9unded plant to 50cm high and 60cm wide. Heuchera 'Amber Waves' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with filtered sun to part shade. Best results are obtained with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. They also respond well to regular summer watering

'Can Can' description:

Heuchera ' 'Can Can' has large ruffled foliage with shades of metallic silver. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small white flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. The ruffled mound of shimmering foliage makes a stunning sight in the morning light. Heuchera 'Can Can' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding . They also respond well to regular summer watering.

'Cathedral Windows' description:

Heuchera 'Cathedral Windows' has large purple leaves with dark purple venation. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small white flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. As the breeder says 'Memories of the soft purples that came through the black outlines of stained glass brought this new form's name to mind.' Brings a sense of old world style to the garden path Heuchera 'Cathedral Windows' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. They also respond well to regular summer watering.

'Chocolate Ruffles' description:

Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles' has large fascinating ruffled leaves of purple to chocolate brown. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small white flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. The magnificent colored foliage and wisps of light flowers make a stunning garden sight. Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. They also respond well to regular summer watering.

'Green Spice' description:

Heuchera 'Green Spice' has large fascinating ruffled leaves of green grey with deep purple venation. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small pale flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. The colorful foliage and sprays of soft flowers make it a great garden addition. Heuchera 'Green Spice' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. It also responds well to regular summer watering.

'Palace Purple' description:

Heuchera 'Palace Purple' has blackish-purple leaves have a metallic sheen, and each one has the distinctive shape of a maple leaf. In spring and early summer tall but delicate heads of small flowers the color of milk coffee rise up above the foliage, producing a lacy effect of great beauty. Heuchera 'Palace Purple' will thrive in any reasonably good garden soil in full sun or light shade, but best results are obtained by mulching the soil surface above the roots and providing additional water in summer.

'Pewter Veil' description:

Heuchera 'Pewter Veil' has large fascinating leaves of copper pink in spring, fading to a metallic pewter over purple undersides in summer. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small pinky white flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. The magnificent colored foliage and wisps of light flowers make a stunning garden sight. Heuchera 'Pewter Veil' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. They also respond well to regular summer watering.

'Plum Pudding' description:

Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' has large colorful leaves of purple to ruby purple. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small white flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. The magnificent colored foliage and wisps of light flowers make a stunning garden sight. Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. They also respond well to regular summer watering.

'Purple Petticoats' description:

Heuchera Heuchera 'Purple Petticoats' has beautiful ruffled foliage with a deep purple tone. The plant is pone of the tough H. americana forms but with a delicate purple texture. The plant has some of the best winter foliage around Heuchera 'Purple Petticoats' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding with Osmocote Slow Release. They also respond well to regular summer watering.

'Velvet Night' description:

Heuchera'Velvet Night' has very large (17.5cm) slate black leaves, with complex metallic purple overlays. At the same time tall but delicate heads of small flowers rise up above the foliage to about 65cm. The magnificent colored foliage and wisps of light flowers make it an awesome garden delight. Heuchera 'Velvet Night' will thrive in any reasonable garden soil with full sun to part shade. However best results are obtained in filtered light with a good covering of mulch and a biannual feeding. They also respond well to regular summer watering.