Plants
Coral Bells
Heuchera · Saxifragaceae
Hardly any perennial delivers so much colour without a single flower: coral bells glow with foliage in caramel, lime, silver and deep purple — almost all year, since many varieties are evergreen. In early summer, delicate flower sprays hover above the leaf mounds. We love using heuchera in boxes, grave plantings and bed edges, and source it in compact quality via the auction.
- Light
- Partial shade is ideal; the darker the foliage, the more sun is tolerated.
- Watering
- Moderate and regular; short dry spells are tolerated, waterlogging is not.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Heuchera
The range has exploded over the last twenty years: ‚Palace Purple‘ was the dark classic, and today varieties run from lime-green ‚Lime Marmalade‘ via caramel-coloured ‚Caramel‘ to near-black ‚Obsidian‘. Add to that the heucherella hybrids, crosses with foamflower, which carry even more strongly marked foliage.
Coral bells are partial-shade perennials with an astonishing range. Dark, purple-leaved varieties tolerate more sun; pale and silvery ones prefer light shade — in blazing midday sun the delicate leaves scorch. The soil should be humus-rich and free-draining; winter wet is the most common reason heuchera dies.
A practical issue many people miss: over the years the woody rootstock pushes itself out of the ground — the plant literally grows upwards. Simply replant it deeper in spring or mound up soil, and the clump rejuvenates. Dividing every three to four years keeps the plant compact and free-flowering.
In floristry, heuchera leaves are an insider tip: cut, they last astonishingly long in the vase and give bouquets a refined base with their marked, lobed foliage. The fine flower sprays can be cut too and act like a coloured veil in small summer bouquets.
In combination, coral bells are strongest in contrast: dark foliage next to lime-green varieties, silver next to purple, with ferns and grasses for structure. They are indispensable in autumn and winter boxes because they shrug off frost and still show colour in January. They are also relaxed company for households with animals — heuchera is considered non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Is Coral Bells toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Coral bells are considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children, making them a safe choice for family gardens and balcony boxes. As with all ornamentals, deliberately eating them is still not advised.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Plant in partial shade; dark-leaved varieties also tolerate sunnier spots.
- 02Choose humus-rich, free-draining soil — avoid winter wet at all costs.
- 03Water moderately; once established, coral bells cope with short dry spells.
- 04Add compost in spring and replant or mound up rootstocks that have grown upwards.
- 05Cut off spent flower sprays to keep the clump tidy and encourage rebloom.
- 06Divide every three to four years in spring to keep the plant vigorous.
Frequently asked
- Are coral bells hardy?
- Yes, heuchera is reliably hardy and many varieties keep their foliage all winter. The critical factor is not frost but winter wet — in heavy soils a drainage layer of sand or grit helps. In containers, move the pot against a sheltered wall.
- Why is my coral bells growing out of the soil?
- That is typical of heuchera: the woody rootstock pushes upwards over the years until the plant sits as if on stilts. In spring, simply dig it up and replant it deeper, or mound soil around the stock — both rejuvenate the clump.
- Are coral bells toxic to cats or dogs?
- No, heuchera is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. That makes coral bells one of the unproblematic perennials for gardens and balconies where animals roam. At most, nibbling larger amounts can cause a mild stomach upset.
- Can you cut heuchera leaves for bouquets?
- Absolutely — we do it regularly in the workshop. The patterned leaves last a good one to two weeks in the vase and give small bouquets a refined, colourful base. The fine flower sprays make pretty, airy filler too.