Return to the Far North Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Posted by northspruce z3a MB CDA (My Page) on Sat, Jun 3, 06 at 11:06
| I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with coral bells being invasive. Someone made a comment like that to me and I was surprised because I didn't think they spread. I planted my first one last fall and it did very well over the winter and has put on a lot of new growth already, I was really impressed and thought I had a real winner for my part-shade garden.
Also I would be interested to know if anyone has a favourite variety of heuchera because mine is kinda brownish and doesn't show up much against my mulch :0( I think it's "Plum Pudding" or something like that. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| No way, I wish they would be invasive. I like the plain hardiest species H. sanguinea with the fire red flowers. The only fancy cultivar that I grow is 'Palace Purple', I really need to try more. Sharon |
Terra Nova
| | |
| Gil, have you ever visited this site before? Terra Nova, has incredible hybrids and cultivars to drool for. If you're into dark foliage, Heuchera 'Obsidian' is suppose to be a great performer that holds it's color all season. Sharon |
Here is a link that might be useful: Terra Nova
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| OMG Sharon you enabler! I know I know I asked for it! Now that you mention it, I think Palace Purple is what I have too. There's a pic of it behind the Rhien Nixes in the weekly photo thread. I had no idea there were so many cultivars... I serously love that "Sashay" one. I actually need something brighter rather than darker because my mulch is brown. Sharon, have you ever ordered from Terra Nova? I can't even figure out where they are located. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I have never ordered directly from Terra Nova thats because they are located in OR/ USA, but you will often see their labeled tags at your local reputable nursery. I know Wickams in Lloydminister and Holes Greenhouse in Edmonton sells TN plants. Sharon |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| You can also keep an eye out for the proven winners heuchera and heucherella. You are often half the price of other fancy ones. I've had very good luck overwintering them. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I really like the red (not brown) leaves on my 'Amethyst Myst' Heuchera. I have it planted with Dianthus 'Firewitch' and 'Pink Panda' Strawberry, and that makes a nice combination. I did have it planted with Brunnera 'Jack Frost' as well, and that looked really nice until late summer - when the 'Jack Frost' leaves started burning. I then moved it into an area with more shade. (My 'Amethyst Myst' is growing in full sun until 2pm and doing just fine, but I could move it into more shade, too, if I wanted to.) I also have Heuchera 'Green Spice' and just purchased 'Dolce Key Lime Pie'. The latter definitely needs more shade. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I don't know, I really watch the zones. I have tried in my yard some of the zone 4 heucheras and not have them made it. 'Amethyst Myst' is a zone 4 plant and so is 'Obsidian'. But some zone 4 seem to be hardier than others. Here in the FN we are zone 0-3 and I don't think any zone 5 heuchera will live over our winters. 'Green Spice' is a zone 5 and so is 'Dolce Key Lime Pie'. Sorry to put the kibosh on the conversation but... Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Wow Sharon (Idaho Sharon)those sound soo nice! I noticed the Green Spice one online and liked it a lot. Robert, I will definitely look for Proven Winners heucheras when I am out. Well I looked at my records and the one I have is the species H. sanguinea and it's about to bloom. The new growth is much lighter in colour and it's showing up better now. I got it for $1.00 at a plant sale last fall - I should have bought a whole bunch! |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I'll guarantee that 'Green Spice' and 'Amethyst Myst' are hardier than just zone 5. I've had them both since 2003, haven't done a thing to protect them, and they've come back strongly every year so far. I do grow a lot of zone 4 perennials without much problem, though; but for trees, I try to stick with zone 3. We have reliable snow cover, but zone 5 perennials (lavender, hibiscus, rose of sharon...) won't survive the winter. On the Perennials Forum there are a lot of Heuchera threads, and the general consensus is that 'Dolce Key Lime Pie' is hardier than 'Lime Rickey'. Mine is brand new and still in its pot, so I can't really say if it's hardy here or not. The Proven Winners plants sell for $2.33 around here, so I won't be out much if it dies. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
I've wondered how hardy the heucheras are also. I few years ago I grew a purple leaf mix from Garden's North. Of the dozens I had scattered around the yard, only 2 are left.
I do have the sanguinea red in a few areas of my yard and it is very hardy. I am growing sanguinea White Cloud and cylindrica Greenfinch this spring. Time will tell how they do. Here's the 2 survivors from the purple mix.
This one is on the north side of the house and in very moist humusy soil.
This one will darken with age. The foliage isn't very interesting, but I love the delicate flowers. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I love the color variations on leaves of the first heuchera you posted, Gil. Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Hmmmmmm - intesting thread!!! I just planted Heuchera 'Key Lime Pie" in my yard. I bought it from one of our local greenhouses where it was a leftover from last year. The lady who runs the place, wintered it over in the pot outside. She said that if it will winter over that way it should be hardy. when I bought it, it already had 4 inches of growth and showed no ill effects from being out all winter. Cheers Al |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Al, maybe you should write/email to all the places that post the zone for Dolce Key Lime Pie as being zone 5 and let them know that you are a zone 2 and it overwintered there. I like the bright green foliage on it. Does anyone know how the breeders of new plants figure out the zone they will survive in? Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| The first picture looks nearly identical to my Green Spice. It gets pinkish-orange leaves in the winter and early spring. That makes it really interesting to look at before it begins active growth again. I think the breeders don't test the plants very carefully to see just how much cold they can stand. Zone 5 "is close enough for government work", as they say. Sharon |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Brenda, that wasn't me that posted the pic but I agree that it's really nice, and looks like the pics I have seen of Green Spice. I am always sceptical of recently released American-bred zone ratings, I don't think they test them in cold zones and they just say "well we know it's good in zone 5", like Sharon said. I don't think people in Oregon say "let's send a couple up to Thompson, MB and see how they do". LOL. Ag Canada does stuff like that though which is why we have hardy roses and chrysanthemums and things. This is the H. sanguinea that I planted last fall. It's happy as a clam. The winter foliage was very brown but the new growth is brighter.
 |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Well well, I went to Home Depot and they have 6 or 7 different varieties. I picked up some small pots of "Palace Purple", they were $1.98 each so I got 3. They also had Silver Scrolls, Key Lime Pie, a really nice variegated leafed one mislabeled as Silver Scrolls, one with tiny leaves and lots of pretty little flowers, and some others I can't remember. But the others were all in big pots and were $7 so I hummed and hawed and decided against it. But then I felt upset and some $2 Painted Daisies jumped in the cart to comfort me. :0) LOL |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Hey, I bought one of those $2. Heuchera from HD as well. I can't remember the name without looking but it has small green leaves. I planted it, near the foundation in the front. I also have two of the 4 roots I bought at Costco...I don't know why two of them didn't grow. I also planted one in the front and I am going to plant the other in the back along the foundation. I tried several of these plants a few years ago and they didn't make it through the winter.....so I am hoping these ones will close to the house. Isn't it amazing how plants just jump into our carts when we go shopping. Sierra |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Well the ones I started from seed last year are finally sending up some spikes...I can't wait to see them bloom.
Ohhh and Brenda, the piece I got from you is ready to bloom any day now...I hope it will open tomorrow. Everything is doing awesome. I managed to find homes for it all.
Now if I can just get the digital camera issues figured out! |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Of course I never kept the tag off the one I picked up at Canadian Tire last summer! It has plain, light green (not as light as the "lime varieties"), small leaves and it looks like the flowers will be a deep pink, but it could turn into red flowers. Pink seems to stick in the back of my mind from the tag picture. Actually the buds look like a true coral pink colour. It overwintered well (zone 1b)and looks happy in the mostly sun spot I've put it. Check out the one I found when I was searching for mine! Looks good enough to eat! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Heuchera
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I had all the Dolce ones that were out last year, they all did fine. My Strike it rich pink gem also did fine. I've got the new black Dolce this year and a second key lime. Now to widen the beds so I have room to plant them. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Robert, I'm glad to hear that your Strike it rich pink gem, made it thru the winter as I just got one of these yesterdy along with a couple other heucheras. Now my question for everyone, is do you have your heucheras planted in full sun or part shade? And if you have some planted in both areas, which do you think the heucheras prefer? I have 'Splendens' in full sun and it is doing ok, but it doesn't look as full as some of the pictures I've seen. And then I have 'Pewter Veil' in pretty much full shade and it seems to be getting smaller every year. Should I move it into part/full sun? Thanks,
Laurie |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I say plant them in part-sun or part-shade, in my experience foliage can be bleached out in full hot dry sun and plants become leggy, pitiful blooms in too much shade. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Mine are on the north side of my house, light shade, and they do really well there. I had Palace Purple in another spot but it died there, and now i have Silver Scrolls in the shady white garden (morning sun)- so far so good. :) |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Thanks guys! That's kind of what I suspected. Part shade in my yard is pretty scarce, so I'm going to have to do some looking around for those perfect spots. If only my trees would start growing and actually start providing some shade.........grumble,grumble. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Moved two of mine from a full sun location into a part shade bed this year they are much happier and healthier there. Marmalade
 and Purple Palace
Margaret |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Laurie, 'If only my trees would start growing and actually start providing some shade.........grumble,grumble.' Mature trees may bring shade but they also draw a lot of moisture out of the soil. Then you will be doing a lot more watering. If it is not one thing it is another, right? Thought your yard looked pretty good the other day. The local TV station wants to do a blurb about rural gardens...want to have them visit you, also? My heucheras are in part sun and sun, all throughout the landscaping. Different ones in different places. Really can't say here which one (shade or sun) they like the best. Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Brenda, is your garden going to be on tv? Although, I must say that it should be.........superb park like setting is a really good description. I don't think my yard would compare, unless they're looking for sun-baked works in progress!lol Yes, I suppose you're right about mature trees and extra watering. It's that thing about always wanting what you don't have, right? I know I'm bad for that ;^) |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| When they come to my yard this summer they will probably have to photocrop out the weeds and grass unless miracle of all miracles I can actually get caught up in the weeding department. Yes, I think your yard would look great. The pond, the fence around the garden, the flowerbed islands, the perennials around the house, all make for a wonderful tour. Besides they will crop out what they think wouldn't look great. I won't even get to see the program 'cause we have Bell ExpressVu that does not have the local channels like Access 12. Brenda (who is getting off topic) |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Well, this is weird. My H. sanguinea flowered but didn't have any petals. They look super ugly. If I look really closely, I can just see a few tiny red petals on some of the blooms but most of them are just naked. I kept waiting for them to bloom, thinking they just hadn't opened yet, but they are flowering without petals. Boo! |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| According to Devonian gardens, they say flowers are sometimes petalless. Can you take a photo for us, I've never seen that before? |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Laurie, I bet my garden would beat yours in the "sunbaked, works in progress" category anyday! LOL I have even submitted my only huechera to the sun and baked treatment (Moving stuff to new garden beds). We'll see how she does...she used to have some shade from a large perennial, but alas no longer!
Toots |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Well it's nothing pretty but here goes... petalless Heuchera sanguinea: 
A bit closer up:
 Booooo! |
Oh yeah
| | |
| Oh yeah I was going to ask you Sharon, do you know if this is a temporary condition, or will this plant always be petal-free? You know what I want to hear, c'mon! LOL |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Looks sort of like the flowers on the native heucheras. Not very showy, huh? I had a Thalictrum that did the same thing. Instead of (relatively) large, pink flowers, I had lots of...well, flowers that looked like the ones on your heuchera. I finally gave the plant to my niece, who enjoys it just for the foliage. And, the plant has had petal-free flowers every year. It probably doesn't bother my niece, as much as it did me, because she has never seen a Thalictrum with the proper flowers on it. ;-) |
Ripped off!
| | |
| !@$%*&#*!!! That's why it was only $1.00!!!! Oh well I too like the foliage and I have three Palace Purples now too to enjoy. They are doing very well and putting on new growth already :0) |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| LOL< $1 Weird, but its so cool, I like it ;)
Don't know Gil, all it said was that the flowers are sometimes petalless and have conspicuous, colourful calyces (calyx). I'd keep it and see what happens next year. Sharon |
Here is a link that might be useful: Devonian Botanic Garden
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| No way, I'm not getting rid of it, I'm too cheap ;0) Funnily enough, the calyces are bright pink before the "buds" (if you can call petalless flowers buds) open. There's a stalk with closed pink buds slightly out of focus down the middle of the 2nd pic. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
LOL, That's looks just like the flowers on my heuchera, the pretty leafed one I had posted earlier. The foliage is very attractive so I forgive it the ugly flowers and just cut them off as soon as they form.
I'm anxious to see what kind of flowers I get on this year's seedlings. Probably I'll have to wait until next year, but I'm hoping for something similar to my pink flowering one. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| My H.brizoides 'Bressingham Pink' put on such a good show last year, blooming from May all the way to early September. Strangely, this year it is not blooming. It's very healthy, very green and mounded really nicely. Just no blooms. Maybe it's taking a rest this year? Do they ever do that? Shauna |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Love my Heucheras, but they always look so ratty late in the fall and early spring until the new growth fills in. What do y'all do with yours? Just leave them and live with the ratty bits or do you patiently cut away the dead leaves? Just wonderin'... |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Heuchera's after a long winter need a little cleaning up, pinch off the old stem. If the plant has been in the ground for more then 3 years it may need to be divided.
First thing to remember is that the Heucherella's (Lime Rickey) have a "single finger Stem" that grows from the center of the plant. Off of that will be vary small starts of baby plants. The single finger stem can be divided into several pieces, between each node or "nuckle", which will produce a new plant from the node or nuckle. The second thing is that the mulit stem Heuchera is constructed like our hand with the palm as the root, the fingers are the plants long (stem with neckles). Division can be made between each node or nuckle. Some of our native plants my disappear durning the coldest months, but don't worry cause they may come back. I thought I had lost one of my native Heuchera from frost but they surprised me and came back! Happy weeding. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| My 'Palace Purple' came out of the snow this week, still perky and looking fine. Guess this one is hardy for me :0) I'm starting 'Emperor's Cloak' and a Gardens North mix inside right now (thanks for the seeds, Sharon). Pretty excited about what will come out of those. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Well I am psyched up for Spring. I went to a local nursery,that I love and got two pots of Dolce Key Lime Pie. They were in gallon size pots, and seriously needed to be divided. I took the larger of the two, and was able to divide it into at least 8 clumps. I am planting all over my garden. I got 5 plants of Plum Pudding last fall off Ebay for only 9.99 and free shipping.They have done so well, I can't wait to more varieties. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I see alot of individuals asking about the hardiness of Huecheras. Heuchera is a Native North American plant, and should be hardy everywhere. The Hybrid varieties may be a bit more tempermental. I noticed all my heauchera revel in cold weather, and show thier best color, and growth in cool temps. They do however like good drainage, and not providing that, might add to thier not doing well. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Just to let you all know.... There is a new heuchera that was developed at Jeffries Nursery in Portage, Manitoba that is being released this year for the first time. It is called Arctic Mist. It is a green variegated foliage with red flowers from (Snow Storm x Brandon Pink) x (Snow Storm x Brandon Pink). It should be fully hardy here in our zone 2-3 gardens as it is listed as a zone 3 plant. http://www.jeffriesnurseries.com/arcticmist.htm I phoned the two largest nurseries in Brandon and apparently The Green Spot will NOT be carrying it BUT Patmore Nursery Sales will. So, I guess I will be making a trip over there this spring as soon as they arrive at the nursery. As for Dolce Key Lime Pie, this is a heuchera I have not tried as it is listed as a zone 5 plant in most places on the internet. Whether it would survive here in my zone 2b garden I do not know. Each year I am getting a few more heuchera for the flowerbeds...so it may show up here one of these years but whether it would be there the following spring remains to be seen. This year I am planning on getting a few heuchera from Lindenberg's. The new ones they have that I don't are...
Frosted Violet...listed as zone 4
Dark Secret...also listed as zone 4
Venus...listed as zone 3
Caramel...listed as zone 4 As the deer don't seem to bother the heuchera too much I can plant them in more locations in my yard than I could a hosta, rose bush, tulip or lily. Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I have Venus Brenda. It's leaves are quite pretty. 
And in case anyone doesn't like the idea of spending Big bucks on a heuchera...they over winter lovely by a north facing window in the house. Shelley |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Shelley, I like the leaves of Venus! Not sure whether I want to overwinter ANOTHER plant in the house. Are they prone to any type of bug when they are in the house? Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Oohh Venus is striking! Last fall I managed to pick up for 1/2 price CRYSTAL SPIRES CORAL BELLS, I didn't plant it because it was getting too late in the season, but I do have it stored in the pumphouse right now. I hope it will be ok. I'm not sure if I want to plant it in the ground or in a pot this season. It really has beautiful silver/ purple veined leaves. This website doesn't really show how beautiful it really is. |
Here is a link that might be useful: CRYSTAL SPIRES CORAL BELLS
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I have never heard of Crystal Spires. It looks really pretty. There is another one to look for this year! Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
I haven't had any types of problems in the house with regards to bugs. They really have no problems with them outside either.
My Venus is planted outside now. But I did take slips off and have them growing in the house. Tiarella grows well in the house too. Shelley |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I've growen heucheras for years and have never had any problem over wintering them outside(never brought one in) I cover all my gardens with about 2-3ft of straw each winter- I know it's a pain but I've never lost plants regardless of the winter conditions. Tip as a general rule:
: purple, pink or orange tone leaves=shade to
moderate sun.
:green leaves=sun
exceptions
:chartreuse=shade
: Purple palace will tolerant more shade If you increase the H2O you can often Increase the sun tolerance Some I have growen with no problems are ; Sanguinea red flowers
Bressingham red
Obsidian- dkpurple/black leaves cream flowers quite "shiny" leaf (1st time I've had them )grew all summer in large 1/2 barrel with other plants; then into ground
Marmalade- Fantastic amber/peachy/reddish leaves with red stems(full sun in cool areas)
Palace purple
Pewter Veil
Richardsonii
Dales strain- simialar to silver scrolls but when leave has sunlite behind ,it looks like stain glass
Snowfire Blotted white and soft green leaves with pink flowers . one of my favs
Heucherella are similarin character Ones I grow are
Sunspot/Spotlight they both look similar: chartruse leaves with burgandy streaking thro leave center -pink flower-quitestriking to look at
Heart of Darkness:green leaf, white flower
Kimono:large narrow green leaf with chocolate centres,rose flower They are all great performers and have few demands. Lois |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I've had Dale's Strain for years - the flowers aren't all that attractive, though! It's in light shade, so maybe would be better in more sun. I did have a sanguinea near it, and i can't remember if i planted anything else there, but what's growing now is pink, not red. Palace Purple didn't overwinter for me, but Silver Scrolls is doing not too badly. I love the leaves on that one! I have another red one whose name i don't have handy, and Amethyst Mist, just planted last summer, so nothing really to report on it. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Heucheras are now one of my favorite plants. I noticed last Spring a Heuchera, that I purchased about 4 years ago was on it's last leg. I repotted it, and then moved it to another location. It got huge and performed better than it ever did. I googled Heuchera, and was amazed at all the variety. I purchased a Buy it Now auction off Ebay for 5 Plum Pudding with free shipping for 10.00. What a deal. I recieved these woody stalky things with a few leaves on each. I planted them in several pots. I couldn't believe as it approaced Winter They all began putting out tons of new leaves. They were gorgeous all Winter long. This Spring I purchased a pot of Dolce Key Lime Pie, just bursting with plants, badly in need of division. I got 9 nice sized plants from this. All are doing very well. I then got a nice sized Melting Fire at walmart for 3 Bucks. What a deal. I was able to divide that in half. I then got one called Silver Scrolls, and was able to divide it as well. I guess I am now a Heuchie junkie now. My garden is quite shaded due to many trees,and these seem do love it. I did have a bit of a problem with some huge Katydids munching on my Plum Pudding. I easily dispatched them. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Just wanted to share two Heucheras I grew from seed... one has maple shaped leaves in bronze shades (I think this came from Gardens North), the other has frilly lime green leaves (don't know where this came from). 
|
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Fifteen years ago, My neighbor introduced me to Heucheras.
Since then, they are one of my favorite perrenials.
Last Saturday, I planted my Frosty Velvet and now planned
to purchased few more at Garden Harvest Supply.com.
Thanks for all information and tips. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Heucherella is a hybirdization between a heuchera (sun-part shade/ coral bell) and tiarella (full shade/foam flower). My absolute favorite flowers. I find one I havn't got and cannot resist. (same with sedum and clematis.. it's a disorder)
Green Spice is my favorite, but not the showiest.
Miracle beats tiramisu for its hardiness. They are nearly identicle, STUNNING in spring, right now a myrid of pale reds and yellow border, but Miracle is larger and hardier. Tiramisu never really took off.
Firefly reproduces the fastest and blooms the earliest with some repeat, (some of the firefly are in a full sun rock garden and doing fabuluously). But its plain compared to whats available.
Pistache beats keylime pie for its hardiness, and WOW factor.
SnowAngel beats Monet for its hardiness. (but I will try the new Hercules because neither impresses me much)
MochaMint is a lovely brown with silver sheen, but Silver Veil is a better silver, Silver Scrolls is good too. Tiarella IronCross has been particularly strong for me. I have discovered that the brown Heuchera disappear against the mulch, the Peach Melba is hardy and visable all the way across the yard. My wish list for 2010
Heuchera- Fire chief
Southern comfort
Paris
Heucherella- Sweet tea
Golden Zebra Terra Nova nursery as far as I understand does not sell retail, but wholsale only. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Can anyone tell me how early coral bells usually come up in the spring? My garden is at the stage where my tulips are up, but not blooming yet, lilies are just poking out, irises are coming up, trees have no leaves on them yet (except for a few exceptions) etc...and none of my coral bells are showing any signs of life at all. I planted quite a few, so I'd be quite suprised if none of them survived. Are they a little later to come up? Plants like my salvia and daylilies all have leaves coming up. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Has anyone ever ordered Heucheras from Hosta Choice Gardens? I've been on their web site and they have a lot of heucheras listed. Makes the choice difficult. I had a few but they were winter killed, I also think the area I had them in stayed to wet in the spring and they may have rotted. I've made a new hosta bed and that's where any new heucheras will be going. I have Palace Purple but I also have Frosted Violet and I think I like her better. I also have Red Spangles, a hummers favorite. Last year I also bought Venus, Harvest Silver, Midnight Rose & Mocha. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Weeper, my heucheras stay green over the winter. They bloom - checks the garden journal - in June. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Hello Everyone - I happened across this site while Googling the heuchera 'Monet'. I only read a few comments (back from '06 - so I apologize if any of thess questions have been answered) but I have quite a bit to say about heucheras and heucherellas that may address some of the questions here. Terra Nova is a wholesale nursery - but you can get their gorgeous catalogs if you get on their mailing list. I'm a coral bells junkie - only this year have I decided not to invest in any more for now as I have upwards of 30 - and I think I have just about every color. Also it gets expensive to buy the newest and lost them! Some have not survived our winters here in Southeast Michigan, but the ones that have I can list if anyone is interested. Heucheras are supposed to be evergreen, but the leaves on most of mine don't survive the Michigan winters (I'm in a pocket of warmer temp. in the greater Detroit area, but our last few winters have sunk to single digits and sometimes with no insulating snow cover). (Weeper) - Heuchera's can look just about dead in early to mid-spring, then slowly the tiny leaves begin to grow and suddenly the plant is back and thriving. So don't be hasty to give up on them. The darker ones seem to be the hardiest, but I have had these in my gardens for a minimum of 2 years (just a few!) - most for longer: Creme Brule, Peach Flambe, Snow Angel, Hollywood, Cappucino, Cafe Ole, Stormy Seas, Marmalade, Obsidian, Stormy Seas, Purple Palace (which started it all!), Encore, Lime Rickey, Ginger Ale, Green Spice, Key Lime Pie, Stop Light, Cinnabar Silver, Silver Scrolls, Mardi Gras, Earth Angel. The newest survivors of one or two winters are Hercules, Electra, Southern Comfort, Georgia Peach, Citronelle, Miracle (off the top of my head). Many of these I grow in large pots, as it's easier to mix the components of the soil they thrive in (and I still have to put in a couple more gardens). One more thing before I bore you all to death...Dan Heims (co-owner of Terra Nova) and Graham Ware published 'Heuchereas and Heucherellas' - Timber Press, 2005. The book is my bible regarding care and culture of heuchs and heucherellas. It also goes into the origins of the plants (native to North America) - and the differences between the main species. It helps to know what conditions they come from when growing them. Oh...and the few failures have been Alabama Sunrise (lost it twice), and Snow Fire (lost it twice, too). LinBar |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I apologize...I'm not far enough north to be on this forum! That's what I get for skimming over things ;-( LinBar |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Wanted to chime in that I just bought some more at the bluestoneperennials.com spring clearance sale. They don't have any 2010 intros but there are still some good ones. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I wish that Blue Stone Perennials were in Canada...oh well...they did have some heuchera that I don't have here.... LinBar, I don't mind at all that you posted on the Far North. I also love heuchera!!! I would love to see your list of heuchera. I am slowly putting together a powerpoint presentation on heuchera for presenting at gardening events. Lots of info out there for heuchera! The internet is a wonderful source of info. Here is a list of heuchera that have overwintered at least one winter for me on my Canadian zone 2b acreage....
Amethyst Mist
Arctic Mist
Blackout
Brandon Pink
Bressingham Hybrids
Caramel
Cherry Jubilee
Chocolate Ruffles
Crimson Curls
Dale's Strain
Dark Secret
Dolce Blackcurrant
Dr. Sitars Strain
Firefly
Georgia Peach
Harvest Lemon Chiffon
Licorice
Marmalade
Midnight Rose
Molly Bush
Palace Purple
Peach Flambe
Peppermint Spice
Petite
Pewter Veil
Plum Pudding
Purple Petticoats
Regina
Ruby Mist
Silver Indiana
Sparkling Burgundy
Stormy Seas
Strawberry Swirl
Velvet Night
Venus
and, an unnamed yellow heuchera with green leaves.... These heuchera are new to me this year and I am hoping that they will also prove hardy for me...
Autumn Haze
Beaujolais
Beauty Colour
Can Can
Cinnabar Silver
Dolce Peach Melba
Mars
Miracle
Pewter Moon
Silver Scrolls
Tiramisu I love the colorful leaves and the small dainty flowers of the heuchera. Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I'm fairly new to gardening in Z3 and I'm hoping one of you many heuchera enthusiasts can answer a question. I've a couple of Palace purples in the shade that came back first time last year and did well despite the low light. This year the pink buds were just emerging and then disappeared altogether. I've seen no signs of life for about 10 days now. The weather actually warmed up so I don't think they got knocked back by cold and besides, they seemed hardy. They're in a bed with bog type plants so get a lot of water but the soil drains very well so roots aren't sitting in water. What else could have stopped them in their tracks? Thanks for your help. Cathy |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Most definitely ARE INVASIVE but you can stay on top of it. I planted two Amythyst Mist in partial shade and now have seven plants after three growing seasons (New England). They crop up about ten feet from the original plant. A lovely counterpoint to a sea of green, but they'll migrate so be aware (One is now in my lawn, oh dear). |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| They're certainly not invasive in zone 3. I wish they were, I could always use a few more of these things. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| I agree, in the 5 years since this thread was new I have never even seen a seedling. Not invasive in Zone 2. Why do these ancient threads keep getting resurrected? Weird. |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Newer gardeners searching for things, i guess. But that's okay - always nice to have new people turn up hear. :) |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Hello valleyrimgirl/Brenda: I think we recently met at the 2012 MHA convention, chatting in the lunch line about Heuchera. I just stumbled on your post from May 2010 above when researching hardy Heuchera cultivars. So: did I miss your follow-up post? Which ones have wintered and thrived for you? Did you ever do your PowerPoint presentation? Anyone else have recent experience testing the hardiness of the newer Heuchera cultivars?
Linda in Winnipeg |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Linda, Yes, I did my powerpoint presentation at the Westman Gardeners February monthly meeting last week. Everyone really enjoyed it and learned a lot. If you know of any gardening groups in Winnipeg that need a speaker, I have no problem in driving in and presenting. As for which heuchera in the list I gave above in May of 2010...
Autumn Haze
Beaujolais
Beauty Colour
Can Can
Cinnabar Silver
Pewter Moon
Silver Scrolls These survived and did well last year. The others didn't make it. :( I am planning on checking out which new heuchera that the Hostageek will have this year and then also order some from Hortico as many there are only $8. Brenda |
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
Thanks so much for the follow-up! Your talk must have been great, especially this time of year. I would love to recommend you to the Friends of Gardens Manitoba as a possible speaker. Could you please e-mail me and let me know how you can be contacted? Or just let Colleen know via the website below that you'd be willing to do a talk.
Linda |
Here is a link that might be useful: Friends of Gardens Manitoba
RE: Heuchera - Coral Bells
| | |
| Linda, I have emailed you thru the garden web email option. Brenda |
|
|
|
|
