I am hoping for some coloured Heucheras for Fathers day later this year – well hope is free!

Uses of Heuchera

• Heuchera are commonly used as specimen plants or in small groups of the same variety.
• They are at home in woodland gardens, rock gardens or as groundcover.
• Heuchera are useful in patio pots or as components in mixed containers. They are often used at this time of year for winter containers
• Flower panicles make fine additions to cut flower arrangements.
• Heuchera attracts butterflies.
• Heuchera consists of over 50 species and there are many new varieties so you could make a study and collection of these interesting plants.

Facts about Heuchera

• Heucheras are evergreen or normally retain some leaves through winter
• To get the best leaf coloration, plant so your Heucheras get  partial afternoon shade. Purple leafed cultivars can tolerate more direct sun, conversely, the yellow, amber and gold leafed cultivars are less tolerant of sun
• Heuchera was named after an 18th century German botanist Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677-1747). The common name ‘coral bells’ is derived from the nodding, bell-shaped flowers on swaying stems.

Coloured Varieties

• • Many of the named varieties give a strong hint as to colour. Lime Rickey & Citronella, Caramel & Mahogany, Peach Flambe & Marmalade make interesting pairings.

• Miracle has a yellow picotee edge on a red leaf and Rave on made me think of Buddy Holly (the friendly but  prickly rock singer)
• Heuchera ‘Mint Frost’ turns pale mint green and aluminium (sheeny silver) when growing well and is a good contrast used next to stronger colours.
• In  RHS Trials, the Tigrella Heuchera cross called  Heucherella ‘Kimono’ with silver-purple and green, maple-shaped foliage and tawny flowers received an AGM.
  

Gardening is a bit about DIY and fathers day didn’t produce the plant I wanted so I will try grow my own.

Good Uses for Heuchera

Heuchera’s are good for nurserymen as they propagate freely as shown above at our local nursery. They are also available in many colours, forms and varieties to increase the sales potential.
Heuchera’s are good as evergreen perennials for borders and containers, ground cover and even hanging baskets.
Heuchera’s are grown for their foliage more often than their flowers. The leaves are very attractive and the flowers come up on slender yet strong stems, which have airy racemes of small flowers.
All Heucheras are good for partial shade and gold and yellow leaved varieties love full shade.
Most Heuchera are good for coastal positions.

Heuchera Good For Your Garden

Heuchera enjoy a moist but well drained soil and will tolerate periods of dry (but not forever!)
Heuchera are easy plants to grow needing only a light trim in Spring and again in August for a good show of leaf in Autumn and Winter.
Heuchera are rabbit, slug and deer proof. Vine Weevil may be a pest in containers!

Heuchera Good In Containers

Heucheras are at their best in containers either on their own or mixed with contrasting plants.
The container must have adequate drainage.
Avoid using thin metal containers as they bake the roots in summer and become a block of ice in winter!
Alpine Heucheras have an affinity for rock crevices and a raised bed or enclosed container will make a great display.
Other container ideas include wide clay drain pipes, half barrels or old wooden boxes.

Bibliography

• Heuchera, Tiarella and Heucherella including Tiarella, x Heucherella and Mitella and foam flowers.
  
• Heucheras Hardy Plant Society
• Heucheras and Heucherellas: Coral Bells and Foamy Bells D HeimsHeuchera Plant: Plant Guide as house plants A. Lalko