Marmalade Heuchera

Our modern gardens make use of colors that were neglected in the past. More subtle tones can still bring richness, and no more so than with the Marmalade Heuchera, also called Coral Bells, which has foliage in stunning shades of amber, russet, gold, yellow and brown. The undersides of the leaves are a surprising hot pink, and the large leaves, 4 inches wide, have snipped, fluted and serrated edges. This tough plant makes a dense, groundcover mat up to 2 feet across, but stands less than a foot tall, except when in flower. At that time slender stems rise to 2 feet tall, carrying tiny red-brown flowers, adding a lovely touch to your May/June garden. Hardy in zone 4, where it is largely deciduous, this plant is increasingly evergreen through warmer zones, and is remarkable for tolerating heat as well as cold, humidity, and summers in the southeast. It makes a great edging for beds and a terrific, dense, groundcover beneath shrubs – yes, it’s shade tolerant too. Grow it in a rock garden or on a slope, under trees or out in full sun. It is also excellent planted in pots and boxes, where it blends well with most colors, adding interest to patio and balcony plantings.

• Dense, weed-smothering mat of semi-evergreen foliage
• Delicate red-brown flowers on slender stems in late spring
• Leaves are lobed and serrated, colored amber, dusky pink and russet
• Grows in full sun, partial sun and full shade
• Tolerant of heat and humidity, as well as cold winters

Full sun is a great spot for the Marmalade Heuchera if you garden in cold zones. Otherwise, grow it in partial shade with some morning sun. It also does well in full shade in all climate zones. For the very best results it should be grown in rich, moist, well-drained soil, but it’s tough, and will grow just fine in poor, drier conditions, but not in wet ground. Once established it has good tolerance of dryness, and grows well in the heat and humidity of the southeast. Some fertilizer in spring and summer will keep it vigorous and well-colored. It isn’t normally eaten by deer, and has no significant pest or disease problems – this is an easy plant for anyone to grow. Clean up in spring, removing dead leaves – new ones quickly grow. Don’t cut the long, horizontal stems, but cut out any old ones that are no longer vigorous. Putting mulch over the stems in spring encourages denser growth on older plants.