Remember that feeling you got as a kid when you opened a brand-new box of crayons? It was thrilling to see all the colorful possibilities laid out in front of you, right? You might find that same feeling again browsing the collection of heucheras in our nursery yard.
Heucheras, or “coral bells,” are a group of low-growing, shade-loving perennials native to woodland and mountain areas of North America. In the wild, their leaves are generally green, but in the horticulture world, heucheras are prized for their range of brilliantly colored foliage. The numerous cultivars come in an exciting array of purple, red, orange, yellow, and bright chartreuse shades. Some have bi-colored leaves with one color on the top of each leaf and another on the bottom. Some have contrasting colorful veins in the leaves, silvery overlays, glossy finishes, or petticoat-like ruffles. As if that weren’t enough variety to work with, dainty, bell-shaped flowers stand tall above the foliage in tall, thin inflorescences. On many cultivars, the flowers are white or creamy white, and play second fiddle to the brilliant foliage. But on some, the flowers attract their own attention with colors of ruby red, peach, and shades of pink. Whatever the color, the flowers give the whole plant an airy, care-free look.
Heucheras don’t get very big. With most, the foliage stays a compact twelve to eighteen inches tall and wide. A few varieties are even shorter than that. Most cultivars prefer part sun to shade, although with consistent water, some can take more sun. They work well in containers too – the bronze and dark purple varieties are especially fun for fall arrangements.
Once you get to know them, Heucheras are the kind of plants that inspire whole collections. Ask someone on our Hardy Plants team to point out their favorites and you might find yourself starting your own collection too!
