News: Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Heuchera 'Midnight Rose'

Many folks know Heuchera by its common name: Coral Bells.  I find this one of the most fascinating plants...so much so that it is sometimes a love hate relationship.

Coral bells have seen a dramatic rise in their use in the garden as more varieties come out with interesting foliage and flower combinations. They are a great addition to any garden as they look good in mass plantings or as border edges.

Coral Bells are a great contrast plant, work well in containers, and there are many cultivars to choose from that will grow in most garden conditions.

Heucheras form an evergreen clump of rounded, scalloped or fringed leaves with fine flower stalks that rise above about two feet with sprays of small pendulous flowers. The best varieties for full sun tend to be the solid purple and green leaved. Foliage that has more white (frosted) or yellow tones tends to bleach and burn in the sun.

With great foliage, colors, patterns and textures from purple to orange to green you can find one to compliment any color scheme. Heucheras are usually grown for their foliage, but more and more attention is being paid to the flowers in more recent cultivars and breeding efforts.

One of my new favorites...'Midnight Rose'