Coral Bells
Heuchera
Also called alumroot
Coral Bells is grown for its foliage rather than flowers, giving the garden structure and color all season long.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Coral Bells
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–9. Expect it to reach about 1.3 ft tall and 1.3 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Coral Bells
Plant Coral Bells in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Comes in 14 varieties
Same plant, same care - pick the variety you are growing.
Good to know about Coral Bells
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Its shallow crown frost-heaves: winter freeze-thaw lifts the plant up out of the ground, baring the roots to cold, dry air. Iowa State rates it a top offender. per Iowa State
How much sun it takes
In cooler, northern gardens it takes more sun, but in hot, dry regions full sun scorches leaves and fades color. Morning sun with afternoon shade suits nearly all. per Iowa State and Clemson
Don't cut it back hard
Grown for its leaves, not cut back like a perennial. Deadhead spent flower stalks, tidy winter-worn leaves in spring, and divide it every few years to keep it fresh. per NC State and Clemson
Prevent frost heaving
After the first hard frost, mulch with straw or pine needles to buffer the freeze-thaw. If a crown lifts out, push it back down or replant it deeper. per Iowa State and Illinois
Give it rich, drained soil
It wants humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. It hates heavy, soggy clay and will rot in waterlogged ground, so work in compost to open up any clay first. per NC State and Clemson
Draws hummingbirds and bees
The dainty bell flowers draw hummingbirds and bees. The tubular red blooms of the H. sanguinea type are an especially strong hummingbird magnet. per Iowa State
What pairs well with Coral Bells
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Rhododendron
Shares part shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 5.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Camellia
Shares part shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 6.6 ft, for the layer behind it.
Christmas Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Bergenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Gardenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it; they only overlap in zones 8 to 9.
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Autumn Fern
Shares part shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
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