Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Another staple of my garden is Heuchera. I use it both in ground and containers. It will overwinter in a container. Heuchera foliage comes in so many colors. In the garden they offer red, burgundy, deep purple, lime green, sage greens and a variety of orange tones. I enjoy pairing them with some garden accessories.

These were matched to the gazing ball; which was purchased to match the color of the Japanese maple. The name is Heuchera Berry Smoothie. It offers both reds and a rust orange shade. The photo was taken in early spring when the azalea blooms are a great contrast in this setting.

Here you see Palace Purple. It plays off very nicely with the blue tones and browns of a gong.

Purple Palace also is a good match with a Japanese maple.

The gazing ball matches the colors of ‘Caramel’. In spring it contrasts with the yellow and orange on this deciduous azalea. The color deepens to a darker caramel as it matures thru the summer. A young coleus, on the other side of the gazing ball, gives the color match during the summer months.

‘Line Rickey’ is planted near my pond. Chartreuse is a favorite color; so this one fits right in. There are new additions to the yellow green family available on the market. This was one of the first varieties. It looks especially yellow with the Siberian Iris in bloom. Although the Heuchera bloom is not extremely showing; they will add a delicate

Above is ‘Lime Rickey’ with Saxifraga arendsii, which is a great rock garden plant. It has small gentle pink flowers. This photo was taken a bit earlier in the spring. The center of this petite flower is a great match in color.
Heuchera ‘Green Spice’ was the first Heuchera I purchased. It’s tried and true, bigger and better each year. The blooms are less colorful and not as pleasing. The foliage offers blue green with a red vein. In the photo you can see another ‘Caramel’ along the sidewalk.
In containers, either side of the pergola posts, are tropical palms, begonia, coleus and Heuchera. This one is ‘Rachel’. It stands up to winter and comes back each year bigger and better. It does seem to seed around more than the others. I find seedlings growing amid the crevasses of the brick pavers. I pull them out and plant them up into a small container. They can be used elsewhere or given away.

This is an interesting Heuchera. It’s green with a deep red underneath. The name of this variety escapes me. Planted in a semi-circle, it contrasts with ‘Lime Marmalade’ in the center.
The number of varieties of Heuchera increase each year. One thing I have notices; on many of the new varieties the blooms not as attractive. They are a dull beige coloration in appearance and form less of a bell shape. However, with all the color variety offered in the foliage, sacrificing that small bloom is a trade off foliage loving gardeners are willing to take.