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Friday, August 31, 2012

Another Nod from Better Homes & Gardens - Colorful Coralbells

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read this month's Better Homes & Gardens -- they were spotlighting Heucheras -- and a couple of our choices were their choices for the best of the best. 

Heucheras, commonly referred to as coralbells, are appearing on the market in more colors than you ever imagined.  Colors that will provide zing to a container, brightened a shady corner of the garden and wow your friends -- bright lime green, intense oranges, deep plums -- reads kinda like a grocery list.  I'm a big fan of bold foliage plants because they will provide impact when the flowers are long gone.  Although Heucheras don't disappoint when it comes to blooms.  A number of the cultivars offer big spikes of pink, orange and white that hover over the large spray of leaves. 

Take a look at a few that are nestled in among the autumn ferns in the Welcome Center Garden.


This one is called 'Georgia Peach' -- how appropriate is that to have in our Garden.  Who needs flowers with color like that.


 
How about 'Berry Smoothie' -- a wonderful variety with silver and plum tones to the leaves.  It is very similiar to another of my favorites 'Amethyst Mist', which is also in the Garden.
 
I'm really looking forward to seeing this next one mature through the seasons.  'Golden Zebra' is really a Heucherella - which is a cross between a Heuchera and a Tiarella.  You get fuller flower heads from the Tiarella and the heat tolerance of the Heuchera.  You can see this one in the Garden or the container on the corner of Main and Washington.
 
 
Heucheras make great ground covers in the warmer areas where they stay evergreen.  You can plant these in spring or fall just make sure they have good drainage - they don't like wet feet.  My friend, Paula at Thomas Orchards, has a good variety of coralbells still available.  Check out 'Snow Angel' -- a bright green and white variegated version.
 
And speaking of friends, click on my friend Carol's blog (Inspirational Nature) in the right hand column and see the awesome pictures she has posted for 'Silver Scrolls' Heuchera.  That one is incredible paired with burgundy and black foliage plants.



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