Heuchera–in the Northwest Gardens…

So this weeks project is to get my Heuchera (aka coral bells)ready for the upcoming season.  Heuchera has to be one of my most favorite here in the Northwest.

There are so many fantastic leaf colors available to us such as shades of purples, yellows, greens, oranges, even variegated. These plants do well in both full sun and full shade. I love the fact that they are evergreen in our Northwest Gardens too.  These plants give color throughout the entire year.  But the summertime is the most amazing show one could ask for.  Such a simple plant, easy to care for, not much disease to worry about and flowers that last all summer long.  The plant itself forms a mounding habit and the flowers appear on spike like rods that come up from the center of the plant.  Flower color varies depending on the plant itself from – whites to pinks!  Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are very attracted to these gorgeous blooms.  

Here at Fishtail Cottage, I have lined several boarders with many varieties of this plant – great plant combination ideas along side of the Heuchera are plants like lungwort, hosta, heather and ferns.  Creating a terrace of heights behind this plant will really help accent the beautiful colors that are offered in the Heuchera family.
Many people worry about overplanting in their gardens ~ however, I must say, I have had better luck creating an ‘atrium effect’ allowing plants to grow together which not only helps shad the base (roots) of the plants I grow, but also minimizes weeds.  

Although Heuchera plants are technically evergreen, they do not look very pretty right now. Coming out of what we refer to as their dormant stage.  This photo is a fair assumption as to what most of these plants look like…(well at least the ones in my garden do). They are very leggy looking and many have grown higher in the mound than is healthy for the plant. The best thing to do with all of these plant is go ahead and snap them off at the base either by bending or snipping it off with a pair of sharp garden sheers. 

Now if you are like me and love and adore these gorgeous beauties throughout your entire garden, you can replant the piece you just snapped off by digging a small hole and stick the base of the plant right in the ground.  You may have several new starts that you can plant throughout your garden or maybe share with a friend?  Mix the dirt in that area with a handful of compost and your new plant will begin to grow roots. 

To ensure new root growth and luscious plants sprinkle Alfalfa meal  around the base of both the established plant and your newly planted Heuchera.  Scratch the Alfalfa Meal into the soil. 

Within a few short weeks your plants should start showing new growth like in this photo below.

By summertime you will have gorgeous and happy Heuchera’s in your own gardens.

Don’t hesitate o ask me any questions,  I’m always happy to help!  Happy Planting ! To see what I am linking to this week – please check my “Cottage Links” label…xoxo, tracie

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