Heuchers In Their Spring Finery

I have been super busy either buying plants for the containers or changing out the plants in the containers.  So naturally some things got neglected....like the blog...again.  But while I was putting some White Queen caladiums in the Welcome Center garden I saw how beautiful the heucheras were that had been planted last season, so I had to share some pictures.  The new growth is so fresh and colorful now.  This is truly why we buy these coral bells -- just to be awed by the bright colors and their perky attitude.  

This little lovely is called Heuchera x villosa 'Georgia Peach'. The "peachy" aspect isn't coming through the photo as well as in real life, but trust me...it is an eye catcher.  The large bright peach leaves turn to rose in summer and rose-purple by fall with a silver-white veil.  Grows 14" tall by 24" wide.

Probably should have focused more on the leaf in the background where you can see the peach color better...oh well.

This one will come through better....Heucherella 'Alabama Sunrise'.   

This has bright, golden-yellow, deeply cut leaves with bold, dark red markings, small white flowers and a mounding habit.  Gets 10" tall and 15" wide.  

And then there is.....

Heuchera x villosa 'Pistache'....it is absolutely glowing in the garden.  Looks so good below the hydrangea that has a lime green vein right now.  Any of the villosa varieties are strong plants so you can't go wrong choosing one of them, but 'Pistache' can't be beat for the intensity of its color.  The large leaves vary from lime green to chartreuse-yellow, depending on light exposure.  It gets 10" tall and 14" wide.  

I saw a couple new ones at the nursery that were calling me to take them home.  A must have is called 'Buttered Rum' -- a soft orange coloring that is so much better than 'Caramel'. When I get it in the ground I'll be sure to share the photo with you.  Well, back to planting!!!

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.





A "Georgia Peach" of a Heuchera

I stopped by the Welcome Center Garden today to get some pictures of those coleus from the Under the Sea collection that I keep teasing you about.  Got the pictures, but you'll have to wait until next time for the full story.  Instead I had to share this photo of one of the newest, neatest coral bells (Heuchera) on the market.  What respectable garden in Georgia could do without a 'Georgia Peach' Heuchera.  If you didn't get it just for the name, you would have to have it for its exceptional and versatile color. 

Heuchera 'Georgia Peach'

14" tall x 24" wide

Zones 4-9

Partial shade to full shade -- heat and humidity tolerant

When the plant came out of the covered nursery house it was a more uniform rose color.  Right now it is sitting in a spot that gets shade until mid afternoon when it gets full sun for about an hour, then back to full shade.  Not sure which aspect is creating the mixed colorations, but I kinda like it.  The veining is very pronounced in any of the colors.  Haven't seen this in fall/winter but I'm told it will turn to a deep rose/purple with a "frosted veil" look. 

I can see this paired with hardy ferns, at the base of hydrangeas, and mixed with hostas.  Because it is a H. villosa hybrid it is supposed to be very tolerant of heat and humidity.  Not sure about how much sun it will take.  This one was down right mad when it got that afternoon sun after being in a sheltered greenhouse -- a few of the leaves even crisped up.  If it would be happy with considerably more sun then the list of companions is a lot bigger. 

Right now it can be found through catalog sales but I'm told that next season Thomas Orchards & Greenhouse will have it.  Check it out in the Welcome Center garden and start planning a spot in your own garden to showcase this little "peach" of a plant.