Coral bells: colour for the shady corners

Heuchera, better known as coral bells, is grown for its leaves more than its flowers. Plum, amber, lime, silver-veined: a few plants brighten a north-facing border or a pot by the back door all year, and the leaves are handy in arrangements too.

Heuchera plant with coloured leaves — Classic

Heuchera with pink flowers — Pink flower spikes

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A North American plant at home in Ireland

Heucheras come from woodland and rocky places in North America and belong to the saxifrage family, cousins of the London pride you see on old Irish walls. They form low clumps of rounded or lobed leaves and send up thin stems of tiny bell-shaped flowers in early summer, much loved by bees. Our cool, damp summers and mild winters suit them; most stay evergreen here.

Varieties to look for

‘Palace Purple’: the old favourite with bronze-purple leaves, and a reliable doer.
‘Obsidian’: near-black and glossy, striking beside silver or lime plants.
‘Lime Marmalade’ and other lime kinds: they light up shade but can scorch in hot sun.
‘Caramel’: amber to apricot leaves that warm up a pot in winter.
Heucherella: a cross with the related Tiarella, with neat leaves and fluffier flowers.

Where and how to plant

Light: partial or dappled shade is ideal. Dark leaved kinds tolerate more sun.
Soil: moist but free-draining. Heavy Irish clay that stays wet in winter rots the crowns, so add grit or grow them in pots or raised beds.
Lifting: after a few years the clumps grow woody and push out of the ground. Lift them in spring or autumn, cut off healthy pieces with roots, and replant deeper.
Tidying: remove spent flower stems and tatty leaves in spring.

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The vine weevil problem

If a heuchera in a pot suddenly wilts, tip it out. Vine weevil grubs, small white curled larvae with brown heads, love heuchera roots. The adult beetles chew notches in leaf edges at night. Biological control with nematodes, watered into the compost when the soil is warm enough, is the usual garden answer, and checking new plants before you buy them helps too.

Leaves as cut foliage

Florists use heuchera leaves to add depth under roses and carnations, and the flower stems make airy fillers in small posies. Cut leaves with a good length of stalk, stand them in cool water for a few hours, and they will last around a week in a mixed vase.

Heuchera at a glance

Question	Answer
Botanical name	Heuchera
Family	Saxifrage family
Flowers	Early to mid summer
Main pest	Vine weevil

For meanings and more ideas, see flower language, our carnation guide and the care tips.

🐾 Pets: Heuchera is not on the common lists of plants poisonous to cats and dogs, but eating any garden plant can upset a pet’s stomach. Discourage chewing.

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Heuchera questions

Why has my heuchera collapsed in its pot?

The most common cause in Ireland is vine weevil. The white, C-shaped grubs eat the roots, and the plant wilts or lifts out of the compost with no roots left. Check the roots, and treat pots with a biological control of nematodes in spring or late summer.

Do coral bells like sun or shade?

Most prefer light or dappled shade. In our mild climate the darker leaved kinds also cope with sun if the soil stays moist, while lime and amber varieties can scorch in strong afternoon sun.

Can I use heuchera leaves in a vase?

Yes. Pick mature leaves with a long stalk, give them a long cool drink before arranging, and they add deep colour beside roses or carnations. The slim flower stems also work in small posies.