How to grow and care for Coral Bells plants
Heuchera sanguinea
![This plant grows best with full sun for most of the day This plant grows best with full sun for most of the day](/graphic2/sun.gif) ![This plant requires shade during the heat of the day This plant requires shade during the heat of the day](/graphic2/partshade.gif) ![This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering This plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic watering](/graphic2/medwater.gif) ![This plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions This plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditions](/graphic2/highwater.gif) ![Hummingbirds use this plant for food or shelter Hummingbird Plant](/graphic2/hummflower.gif) ![Butterflies use this plant for food or shelter Butterfly Flower](/graphic2/bflyflower.gif) ![This plant is less likely to attract or be eaten by deer No Deer](/graphic2/nodeer.gif) ![This plant produces white flowers White flowering plant](/graphic2/icon_white.gif) ![Plants, shrubs and trees that have red flowers Red flowering plant](/graphic2/icon_red.gif) ![This plant produces pink flowers Pink flowering plant](/graphic2/icon_pink.gif) ![Plants, shrubs and trees that have orange flowers orange flowering plant](/graphic2/icon_orange.gif) ![A photograph of Coral Bells plants is available A photograph of Coral Bells plants is available](/graphic2/camera.png) ![How to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper How to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper](psd/help.gif)
Coral Bells are compact growing, 18" mounding, evergreen plants that offer a growing variety of outstanding foliage colors in shades of purple, rose, lime green, gold as well as many striking variegations.
Heucheras attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds, and are Deer resistant plants.
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They are excellent plants for border plantings, rock gardens or growing in containers.
There are 55 species of Heuchera that are native to North America, as well as dozens of hybrids that have been developed in the past 20 years.
The ½", bell-shaped flowers are borne on tall wire-like stalks in May and June.
Planting and Growing Coral Bells Plants
The majority of Heuchera plants are hardy in USDA zones 6-9.
Coral Bells should be grown where they will receive full sun to partial shade. They require partial shade in warmer climates.
Plant them 9-15" apart in rich, moist soil that has excellent drainage. Heuchera prefer a neutral to slightly acid soil pH, between 6.0 and 7.0.
Keep them well watered their first year. After that, Coral Bells are fairly drought tolerant. |
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Feed every few weeks during the growing season, with a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer.
Remove spent blooms and dead foliage promptly.
In cold areas, Heuchera plants may heave out of the soil during the winter.
Mulching will help prevent the freezing and thawing that pushes the plants up.
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Propagating Coral Bells Plants
Divide Heuchera plants every 3-4 years, to keep them from dying out in the center. Division is the only successful method of propagating hybrid Heucheras that will remain true to the parent.
When starting seeds directly in the garden, sow them directly on the surface of the soil in late fall or early spring.
Do not cover the seeds. They need light to germinate!
Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last killing frost in your area.
Do not cover the seeds. They need light to germinate!
Maintain a temperature in the growing medium of 55°.
Seeds take between 10-15 days to germinate.
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
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Coral Bells
Heuchera sanguinea
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