|
|
Coral Bells
(Heuchera Sanguinca)
Probably no other group of plants has grown as much in garden popularity over
the last decade as the Heucheras, which today are represented by dozens of
cultivars and hybrids. Dan Heins from Terra-Nova Nursery in Portland, Oregon,
has been responsible for much of this increased interest by developing many new
hybrids and using tissue culture propagation to get these unique one-of-a-kind
plants into the hands of gardeners. One nursery grows over 50 selections of
these plants. Heucheras probably should be considered foliage plants for the
garden, with flowers thrown in as an added bonus. Many of the new hybrids,
especially selections of H. micrantha such as ‘Palace Purple’ and ‘Pewter Moon’
have only showy foliage with insignificant white flowers. Of the flowering
types, selections such as ‘Red Spangles’, ‘Cherry Splash’ (pink) and ‘June
Bride’ (white) produce handsome foliage topped with erect spikes bearing small,
pea-sized flowers in open clusters. Of the flowering types, perhaps the nicest
are the variegated selections such as ‘Snow Storm’, ‘Silver Veil’ and ‘Snow
Angel’. Don’t get too hung up on looking for a specific heuchera cultivar,
because they all are worth a try in the garden. The heucheras are premium shade
perennials that are mostly evergreen in Arkansas. Use Heucheras in the front of
the shaded perennial border for edging or as groundcovers.
- Height: When not in bloom plants are mounds 6 to 10 inches tall;
in spring flowers are to 16 inches tall.
- Spread: 12 to 18 inches.
- Exposure: part shade.
- Hardiness: Herbaceous perennial hardy throughout Arkansas otherwise,
zones 3 to 8.
- Planting Season: Plant at any season.
- Culture: Plant in well drained soils which have been well amended
with organic matter. While they tolerate drought, they are at their best if kept
uniformly moist. Avoid planting in clayey soils.
Back to 2003 Arkansas Select
|
