What are coral bells?
Coral bells (Heuchera) are familiar and popular perennials because they adapt to various exposures and bloom reliably.Varieties of this plant grow well in sun, and partial or even full shade, and most are hardy to 8,500 feet. Coral bells are no longer simply coral. These perennials produce flowers ranging in color from white to amber to purple. Panicles of small blooms on sturdy, wiry stems rise from the plants in late spring or early summer. The blossoms make excellent cut flowers for bouquets.
What do they look like?
And the leaves—well, those are another matter entirely. Leaves can be ruffled or flat, edged in color or not, and plain or variegated with fantastic color combinations. Purple palace coral bells, for example, offer elegant foliage in deep shades of purple. Autumn leaves coral bells exhibit bronze, gold and red foliage. And snow angel coral bells, a long-time favorite, display deep green leaves heavily dappled with white.
Can I cut the flowers off?
When coral bells are in bloom, feel free to cut the flowers. This prolongs bloom. Once coral bells have stopped blooming for the season, their foliage remains evergreen into the winter. Coral bells form low, mounding clumps of foliage that spread from 12 to 14 inches wide with flower stems that reach from 12 to 18 inches in height.
Grow and enjoy these great plants. They are easy, adaptable and very rewarding.
For more information, see the following Colorado State University Extension fact sheet(s).
