Plant of the Month September: Heuchera
Our plant of the month for September is the Heuchera, a colourful gem of a perennial that's versatile and very easy to grow, making it an ideal choice for your garden.
About the Heuchera
Heuchera, commonly known as coral bells or alumroot, is a versatile, evergreen perennial prized for its stunning foliage and compact form. Native to North America, Heuchera has become a favourite in UK gardens due to its year-round interest, ease of care, and wide variety of colours. With their ruffled leaves ranging from lime green to deep burgundy, Heucheras are perfect for borders, containers, and shady areas.
Heucheras pair beautifully with Hostas, Ferns, Tiarella, and Carex in shade gardens. In sunnier areas, they also work well with ornamental grasses and hardy geraniums. Their compact growth makes them perfect for underplanting roses or shrubs.
Top Tips for Growing Heuchera
1. Choose the Right Spot
Heucheras thrive in partial shade, making them ideal for those tricky garden spots where the sun only appears for a few hours. Some varieties tolerate more sun—especially those with darker leaves—but midday shade is usually best to prevent scorching.
2. Well-Drained Soil is Key
These plants hate soggy roots. Improve heavy clay soil with grit or organic matter to enhance drainage. In containers, use a loam-based compost with added grit.
3. Water Wisely
Once established, Heucheras are fairly drought-tolerant. However, in the first growing season, keep them well-watered. Avoid overwatering, especially in winter, as this can lead to root rot.
4. Watch for Vine Weevil
In the UK, vine weevils are one of the few pests that can cause serious damage to Heuchera. Their larvae eat the roots, often killing the plant. Use biological controls or a nematode treatment in spring and autumn to keep them at bay.
5. Divide Every Few Years
Heucheras can become woody or develop gaps in the centre over time. Every 3–4 years, lift and divide the clumps in spring or early autumn to keep plants looking fresh and healthy.
Why Buy Heuchera
- Easy to grow
- Low maintenance
- Fantastic year round foliage
- Great for a part shaded area of your garden
- Huge choice of varieties & colours
All of the Heuchera found at our garden centres are grown by us. Because we grow our own, it enables us to try different varieties and offer you a greater choice.
Come along to your local Thompson’s and see for yourselves. Don’t forget we have an ever-expanding range of plants available to purchase on our web shop.
Popular varieties of Heuchera
Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’
A standout variety with frilly, vivid lime-green leaves. Ideal for brightening up shady spots and combining with darker-leaved companions.
Heuchera ‘Marmalade’
Offers warm shades of amber, peach, and pink, with a slightly ruffled texture. Perfect for autumn-themed plantings and year-round interest.
Heuchera ‘Obsidian’
As dark as the name suggests, ‘Obsidian’ has near-black leaves with a smooth, glossy finish. A great contrast plant in both containers and borders.
