Haute Heuchera

Please excuse my cyber-dust; this page is always a work in progress. I update this page (somewhat) frequently, so stop by often!

Few things in the horticultural world have caused the sensation that the prolific cultivars of Heuchera has. Commonly known as Coral Bells, what once was merely an overlooked purple plant, is now taking the world by storm in as many colors as Joseph's amazing technicolor dream coat. (I hope I didn't tread on any copyrighting toes....) This page will highlight some of the most famous, my favorites, and newly-released cultivars of Heuchera. I think it will be easiest to sort them by leaf color.

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Red

Sparkling Burgundy is a lovely Heuchera whose red leaves are a bright spot in the garden.

This cultivar grows to about 12 inches / 30 cm high and 18 inches / 46 cm wide. This particular variety has a better color saturation if it gets a few hours of sun. These photos are of a grouping I planted at a client's home. At the time of the photos the plants were one season old. The area gets morning and early afternoon shade, and mid- to late afternoon sun. The garden bed is watered regularly via the irrigation system.

The creamy flowers rise about 12 inches / 30.5 cm over the foliage.

In spring the new growth emerges in a delightful mix of purple-red and green with red undertones.

As the leaves mature they turn the bright burgundy-red with a silver overcast which gives the plant a shimmer in the sun. Hence 'Sparkling Burgundy.'

*UPDATE - April 30, 2012: I recently discovered that most retail and wholesale nurseries in my area are no longer carrying this variety. :(  It seems that the Heuchera world is driven by the latest and greatest (or so we are told), the brighter brights and the darker darks. But there is a problem with this philosophy: once a Heuchera has had time to live a little in a garden and prove itself, it's pushed aside for something new, trendy... and unproven, and we have to start the process all over again. So, if you run across this gem of a red Heuchera, snatch it up. I consider it a proven, reliable Heuchera. And now I can't buy it anymore.

Orange 

Yellow

Chartreuse


Green

Firefly is one of my favorite green-leafed Heucheras. Although the leaves aren't as showy as other Heucheras, it makes up for it with large, tall, bright, fragrant flowers that actually rebloom.

The new spring foliage is quite lovely as well. I love the chartreuse edge.

As the summer progresses, the reddish leaves change to a cheerful green with silver veins.

'Firefly' is a fairly short variety; the foliage is about 10 inches / 25 cm high, but the flowers soar up to 2.5 feet / .8 meters. It seems to have a colonizing or creeping habit, and this particular plant is about 2 feet / .6 meters wide. The flowers last for weeks and make excellent cut flowers and add a certain whimsy to floral arrangements.

This plant receives part to full sun, although in the hot summer months it gets a little shade from the 'Autumn Joy' sedum that is next to it.

(more photos of 'Firefly are coming soon!)

Blue-ish

Purple

Silver

Black

White