I had known about heucheras for a while, but it wasn’t until the variety” Marmalade” came out that I really started paying attention to all the new colors of foliage that were being discovered and brought to the market.
“Marmalade” caught my attention because of the name, not the color – that was a bonus. I had just lost my cat Marmalade and was starting a memorial garden for the cats I had lost. What better plant then one with the same name? And then color? An orangey, marmalade color!
Well after killing three plants off, and being crushed!
I realized I needed to learn more about the care of these wonderful plants.
Since then I have learned about the plants, bought and moved into a new home and finally started my memorial garden again. I now have several heucheras in the garden. It’s a great family of plants with a lot of variety. Different sizes, both height, and spread; lots of color options with flowers and the choices of foliage is amazing! I don’t know of any other perennial that has the same range.
So below I am sharing some wonderful varieties available to you.
Proven Winners© is not the only grower, Terra Nova Nurseries also has some great pictures and different varieties. One of my favorite places to visit in NC when I visit my brother, Juniper Level Botanical Gardens, and Plant Delights Nursery is another wonderful source of information. Tony Avent, the owner, is a well-known and respected plant discoverer and grower.
So, onto my selections. These are just a few of the choices – so be sure to do some exploring of your own!
Primo® ‘Black Pearl’
Look at the size of this leaf! I have just started to appreciate black foliage, and the underside of this black heuchera is amazing. Such a brilliant purple. Black Pearl is a short and dense plant, with shiny jet black leaves. Scalloped leaves with ruffled edges add to the beauty of this plant. It has white flowers that bloom in mid-summer and reaches 8-10″ tall, 26-30″ wide. A show stopper in the ground or in a container.
Dolce® “Wildberry”
– has white flowers. Sizewise, it reached 10-14″ high and 16-20″ wide. One of the neat features of this Heuchera is that the foliage darkens and persists in the winter depending on what zone you are in.
Dolce® ‘Cherry Truffles’
Look at the color on this one. What a great color, bright red foliage and that’s during spring and summer. In the fall the foliage will deepen to rich mahogany. Light pink flowers adorn the plant, blooming early-mid summer. Another short and wide heuchera, 10-12″ tall, spreading 20-24″.
Primo® “Peachberry Ice”
– the foliage on this one! Very unusual apricot orange with silver. Ruffles along the edges and a pink underside, what more could you want? “Peachberry Ice” has cream flowers and is short, only reaching about 8-10″ tall, though it does spread nicely; 30-34″.
Dolce® “Apple Twist”
– if you like chartreuse foliage, this is one to check out! The foliage starts out chartreuse with red veining and maturing to an apple green. “Apple Twist” has wavy edges and long blooming cream flowers starting in early to mid-summer. Another short one – it reaches 10-12″ tall and spreads 20-24″
Dolce® ‘Spearmint’
- another green foliage Heuchera, “Spearmint’ has and nice silvery sheen to the leaves. another short and sweet plant. Another interesting feature of ‘Spearmint’ is it has a bi-color flower on tall spikes.
Primo® ‘Mahogany Monster’
– another Heuchera with massive leaves that are a glossy mahogany color. While the plant only reaches 12-16″ tall, the flower spikes can reach up to 38″! The spread on this plant is about 28″.
Primo® Wild Rose
-short like others mention, ‘Wild Rose’ has rosy purple foliage with charcoal veins. Pink flowers top it off.
Thrillers and Fillers!
When creating your container gardens this spring/summer/fall, think about adding some Heuchera. They can be both a thriller and a filler for your container. Check out a couple of examples below then let your imagination go!
I hope you have had fun checking out these beautiful plants! Not only are the gorgeous to look at but they are deer resistant! Both butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to them, so plant away.
Basic Care
Heucheras thrive in part shade but will grow in full shade – you just might not get as many flowers. But hey, with that foliage, it’s not a totally bad thing. They prefer soil that is humus rich and well-drained, but they are salt-tolerant. Trim any damaged or dried up foliage in early spring. Grow best in zones 4a-9b.
Leave me a note if you have a favorite! Thanks for stopping by, I truly appreciate the visit.
