Heuchera flower growing from seeds Planting and care in open ground

Heuchera small-flowered palace Purple castle Heuchera micrantha Palace Purple planting and care photo

Heuchera heuchera is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Saxifraga family, the name is derived from the Latin Heuchera. It is named after the German physician and botanist Johann Heinrich von Heicher. Its roots are from North America. The size of the plant is small, adult bushes of the plant reach 50 cm in height.

Heuchera is a magnificent ornamental plant that is loved by landscape designers because of its brightly colored leaves. The highlight of this exquisite perennial is that during the growing season it can change its color more than once. It is impossible to find among plants a flower more saturated with different shades than heuchera.

Description of Heuchera

Heuchera plant purple midnight rose midnight rose in a flower bed photo

Heuchera is a real find, because its palette will impress even the most demanding gardener, both professional and amateur. It seems that this culture collected all the colors for itself. Starting from silver, yellow, green and ending with black. These are also all shades of red, including purple, burgundy and soft pink. Every year, breeders delight gardeners and designers with new heuchera hybrids. All kinds of patterns, veins, and spots are also characteristic of heuchera. The leaves are leathery, toothed.

There are 3 types of texture:

1. smooth
2. corrugated
3. curly.

Heuchera flowers will delight you until frost with shades of pink, white, red and cream. Small bells are collected in a small panicle, attached to thin tall stems. The seeds are in a small so-called capsule, about the size of a poppy seed.

Heuchera varieties are divided into two categories:

1. Ornamental foliage is a plant with gorgeous leaves, such as American Heuchera.
2. decorative flowering, for example, blood-red heuchera, which is valued in landscape design for its flowers.

Heuchera is a chic decoration for artificial ponds, a beautiful container plant, some varieties are used for cutting. Looks great with hostas and astilbes in mixborders.

Heuchera

The story of heuchera is similar to the fairy tale about Cinderella, who suddenly became a beautiful princess.
Once upon a time there lived in the garden Heuchera sanguinea - a beautiful cushion of foliage with small delicate red bell-shaped flowers on tall (up to 40 cm) peduncles. Heuchera, as well as its close relatives - tiarella, heucherella, tolmia - belong to the saxifrage family. Homeland - North America. A very modest plant. Then we got seeds of the variety Heuchera villosa f. purpurea 'Palace Purple'. The seedlings did not repeat the properties of their parents, differing from them in the shape and color of burgundy and burgundy-chocolate leaves. Could anyone imagine that in a few years there would be heucheras for every taste? With amber, lemon yellow, silver, spotted, brown leaves and white, green, red, pink flowers. The leaves are so varied and beautiful that these plants do not even need to bloom. But the flowers of the new varieties became larger, showing off in paniculate inflorescences on numerous peduncles. The imagination of breeders saw the enormous potential of this plant and gave gardeners a new item for admiring collecting. The varieties discussed in the article are of hybrid origin.

Hybrids are divided into decorative deciduous and decorative flowering. Typically, flowering varieties have green or green-white foliage. Although there are exceptions, for example, the 'Swirling Fantasy' variety has burgundy leaves and dark pink flowers. Varieties with decorative foliage deserve special attention, as they are attractive all season long, creating a splash of color in the garden. It should be taken into account that the same variety may look different on different soil compositions. Many varieties tend to change foliage color throughout the season.

One of the first hybridizers to pay attention to heuchera were Victor Lemoine and his son Emil. They obtained a hybrid H. × brizoides (Lemoine, 1897) (H. sanguinea × H. americana var. hispida f. purpurea). Subsequent crosses led to the creation of several new varieties. Forest plants of North America and mountain inhabitants of the Cordillera moved into the gardens of American and European lovers of ornamental gardening and owners of apothecary gardens (heuchera contains astringents and antiseptic substances, being a source of tannin, and some of its species were used in folk medicine as a remedy for diarrhea).

The genus Heuchera has more than 40 species, and the fascination of many hybridizers with this plant is the reason for the emergence of more and more new cultivars. Its low height and rapid propagation make heuchera an ideal ground cover plant, valuable primarily for its striking variegated leaves. Heuchera is an evergreen perennial plant that forms a rosette of leaves. The leaf blade is rounded with a heart-shaped base, the veining is distinct.

The root system, like all representatives of this family, lies in the upper layers of the soil, fibrous, relatively weak. Consequently, the soil must be loose and moisture-absorbing, since the roots cannot extract water from the deep layers of the soil. At the same time, it does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water. The acidity is slightly alkaline or neutral. Prefers to grow in sun or partial shade. Only some green-leaved varieties can grow in full shade, but they practically do not bloom, and the pattern on the leaf disappears.

Wild heucheras are divided into two groups of species: eastern and western. Oriental species grow in wet and dry forests, on sandy cliffs, and in mountainous areas. Species of the western group are inhabitants of mountainous and rocky areas. The origin of heuchera determines the conditions for their cultivation. In a shady landscape garden with rich soil, it is better to grow heucheras that come from forest areas. Mountain species are smaller and grow in rockeries and on retaining walls. Hybrids may change their preferences, but in any case, the key to success when growing a plant lies in knowing its origin.

Heucheras grow well in partial shade and shallow shade, and in the northern regions they can withstand the sun, but with excess light their leaves become lethargic. In more southern areas, heucheras grow in full shade. Frost resistance of plants is up to the fourth zone. When planting on heavy soils, you need to add sand, compost, a small amount of complex mineral fertilizer, and ash. Organic matter should be excluded, since the plant is rocky and adapted to relatively poor soils.

Pro tip: Before planting a plant from a foreign nursery, be sure to wash the root system of the substrate in which it traveled. When planting a division with an open root system, it is necessary to trim the roots by 1/3 and soak it in water with the addition of Epin or Zircon for 2–3 hours.

If there is the slightest likelihood of even temporary stagnation of water in the area chosen for planting, drainage cannot be avoided. By following these simple recommendations, you will create simply heavenly conditions for your beloved heucheras, and in return they will delight the eye with grace, beauty and unpretentiousness.

Deep drainage is a necessary condition for growing heuchera. Stagnant moisture causes rotting of the root system. Coarse sand can be used to drain the soil. Optimal soil acidity pH = 5–6. Therefore, pine sawdust can be added to the substrate. With age, the rhizomes of plants begin to protrude above the surface of the ground, so heucheras need to be mulched or divided, planting them at the required depth. Caring for heucheras is simple: in the spring before flowering and in the summer after it, complex mineral fertilizer is applied. During the summer growing season it responds very well to feeding with ash. For varieties with tall peduncles, it is better to tie them up, and after flowering, cut them off immediately. On sunny days, watering is recommended after sunset, due to the sensitivity of heuchera to burns.

Pro tip: After the harsh winter of 2005–2006, the plants emerged from the snow weakened, and fertilizers must be applied extremely carefully in the spring. It is better not to stimulate their growth, but to strengthen the immune system by treating them with Epin or Zircon.

Spring sun is stressful for evergreen plants, since the roots have not yet thawed, and the leaves are already evaporating moisture. To avoid this, you need to organize shading with any “breathable” covering material.

Annual autumn mulching or replanting the plant to the required depth is the biggest hassle in caring for heucheras. They are very unpretentious and unpretentious, being an ideal plant for both large public gardens and small amateur gardens. Heucheras are an excellent choice for shady and sunny places; they grow in mixed borders, being a good companion plant. Their compact form and lack of stolons make them an ideal companion (with the exception of Heuchera micrantha var. macropetala).

In this capacity, they can be planted even with plants that require alkaline soil. They can tolerate pH levels as low as 8.5, although they prefer slightly acidic to near-neutral soil (pH 5.8–6.3).

Heucheras go well with ornamental grasses, hostas, and daylilies. Suitable for large rockeries, rocky gardens, borders of uniform or alternating plants.

Growing heucheras in a container will give you the opportunity to decorate your winter garden with them and create a beautiful group for a mobile garden. During the long, cold winter months, the leaves of Heuchera 'Amber Waves' and 'Marmalade' will add color to the arrangement. Growing heuchera in a container requires well-drained soil and a slow-release fertilizer, such as a 16:5:9 formula containing trace elements and iron. Plants respond well to fertilizing with liquid fertilizers and compost tea.

Heuchera is a perfect plant for flower arranging and its leaves can be used at any time. Cut heuchera leaves stand in water for up to four weeks. Having long petioles, they look like a beautiful bouquet in a vase. For those who teach flower arranging, this is an invaluable material: they are always at hand, hold their shape for a long time and do not fade. The color range - from black to yellow, including green, orange, red - allows you to always choose the right shade. Small inflorescences lost in the landscape are invaluable for arranging bouquets.

Dark-leaved heucheras go well with yellow-leaved and yellow-edged hostas, dicentra (Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'). This contrast makes the yellow leaves of the hostas more vibrant and the dark colors of the heucheras deeper. The rounded leaves of heuchera look beautiful next to the long leaves of irises, sedges, and miscanthus; They are also good to combine with the complex leathery leaves of Mahonia. Yellow-leaved heucheras are irresistible next to purple barberries (Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana') or primroses 'Wanda' with yellow or red flowers. There is nothing stopping you from making a flower garden from just heuchera - it won’t be boring, the choice of multi-colored leaves is very large.

Companions for Heuchera. Silver-leaved heucheras serve as a contrast to other plants and give the garden respectability and Mediterranean flavor. Typically, plants with such leaves are more resistant to drought than green ones. The silvery shades of the foliage of 'Pewter Veil', 'Mint Frost', 'Can Can' add special value to these varieties. They go well with cereals that have variegated leaves - Molinia caerulea 'Variegata', Koeleria glauca. The silver color of the heuchera can be enhanced by introducing wormwood Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana', A. ludoviciana var. latiloba, A. stelleriana. Various varieties of silver-spotted grass or lungwort, brunner and silver-leafed grass (Stachys byzantina) will make suitable companions in a “silver” garden. Siberian irises with silver-blue flowers also claim to be heuchera's companions.

It is not difficult to identify companion plants for yellow heucheras. The lemon-yellow leaves of 'Lime Rickey' (Terra Nova, 2004) and 'Key Lime Pie' (Terra Nova, 2005) set off the hosts 'August Moon', 'Sun Power', 'Sum and Substance', yellow-flowered daffodils, spirea 'Gold Flame' and 'Golden Princess', lemon yellow-flowered fritillaria (Fritillaria imperialis 'Lutea'). Junipers, thujas, and barberries (Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea') also have yellow tones. There are many such plants, but too much yellow in the garden will look artificial, maybe leave green plants in such a flower garden?

For heucheras 'Chocolate Veil', 'Ebony and Ivory', 'Smoky Rose', you can offer Mikhailovsky's hazel grouse (Fritillaria michailovskyi), sedum (Sedum telephium 'Matrona'), Clematis recta 'Purpurea' as companions. Bronze shades are successfully emphasized by astilbe varieties 'Sprite' and 'Willie Buchanan'.

Attitude to the shadow. Heucheras are unpretentious plants. The required minimum conditions for their cultivation are universal for all varieties: deep drainage, dappled shade, moisture-intensive soil, mandatory hilling once a year or every other year. Planting along the periphery of the crown of an apple tree or around bushes provides shading and cover with leaves for the winter. Preparing for winter involves hilling up the bush to avoid exposing the roots in the spring. For young plantings, in case of a snowless winter, if possible, you should cover the bushes with oak leaves (it does not rot and mice do not like it) or the same covering material. In spring, the leaf will serve as a shelter from sunburn.

ATTENTION! Under no circumstances cut off leaves for the winter; this greatly weakens the plant, even to the point of its death. Old dried leaves are removed gradually as new ones grow.

Problems arise when, with the help of heuchera with yellow or silver leaves, you want to “light up” the dark corners of the garden. Heucheras grow in partial shade, dappled shade, or tolerate full shade. For planting in deep shade, varieties must be carefully selected. You can try to test 'White Marble' (Primerose Path, 1995), 'Green Spice' (Terra Nova, 1993), 'Mint Frost' (Terra Nova, 1997) under these conditions. The varieties 'Cappuccino' (Terra Nova, 1996), 'Chocolate Ruffles' (Terra Nova, 1994), 'Pewter Veil' (Terra Nova, 1992) require at least one hour of direct morning sun per day. Having received new heuchera varieties several years ago, I planted them in full shade, fearing that they would suffer from drying out soil. They had a hard time. The number of leaf rosettes did not increase, and varieties with silver leaves disappeared. Apparently, they needed the sun more than the others.

Collectors collect bit by bit information about the varieties of their favorite plants, trying to create optimal conditions for each of them. H. micrantha and H. maxima grow and bloom well in dappled shade. H. Monet is known to require very good drainage, as do all other H. sanguinea derivatives. Of the two varieties with amber shades of leaves, 'Marmalade' is less fastidious and more frost-resistant (Terra Nova, 2004) than 'Amber Waves' (Terra Nova, 2000). The latter needs morning sun for better coloring of the leaves, and afternoon rays should be avoided - the leaves may burn. In shade, 'Molly Bush' holds purple color better (Bush, 1995) than 'Palace Purple'.

Reproduction. New heuchera varieties are expensive, but many plants with interesting colors can be grown from seeds. Heucheras are easily propagated by seeds. The round and black seeds look like miniature poppy seeds and require water and light to germinate. They can be sown immediately after harvest, or they can be stored for some time (preferably no longer than six months). It is not necessary to stratify them. Seedlings appear two or three weeks after sowing.

The substrate for seeds should be well drained; you can add 30% perlite or other soil disintegrant to it. The seeds should be lightly pressed to the surface so that they are not washed away when watering, or sprinkled with a thin layer of vermiculite. By changing the color of vermiculite, one can judge that the substrate is drying out. The seed container can be placed in a plastic bag or box. It is important to prevent the seeds from drying out.

Unfortunately, heucheras retain their decorative rosette appearance for no more than 3–5 years, after which the bush disintegrates and shows its bare middle. This is a signal that it is time to rejuvenate the plant - dig it up and divide it into parts, 2-3 rosettes in each. This procedure is best done in the spring, when new leaves appear, but before flowering.

Reproduction is also possible by seeds, although with this method the characteristics of the variety are not completely transmitted, although sometimes you can get specimens that are very interesting in color.

The rapid increase in the volume of planting material of new varieties, as a rule, causes problems associated with diseases and pests. There are still few heuchera collections, which means that “growing pains” have not yet overtaken us. Large snails and slugs can damage both young and old heuchera leaves. Caterpillars settle in entire colonies on leaves and gnaw them. Heuchera leaves are affected by spotting and mildew - downy mildew caused by the fungus Plasmopara. Heuchera diseases are relatively rare. Stagnant water, excess organic matter and acidic soil can cause root rot. Having discovered signs of wilting, you need to trim the rosette to healthy tissue, leave a minimum of leaves and root the resulting cutting in the usual way.

A rich assortment of exquisite varieties is gradually displacing modest species plants from our gardens. If all Cinderellas suddenly turn into beautiful princesses, we can only be happy for them. But what will happen to a garden with only queens? Who will make up the elegant retinue of crowned heads? After all, there are no queens without a retinue...

Magazine "Garden & Kindergarten"

Growing heuchera in the garden

Heuchera in landscape design photo in the garden

Heuchera, despite its splendor, is a rather unpretentious flower. Growing it will not be difficult, just as there is nothing complicated in caring for it.

In order for the heuchera to please throughout the entire period of its growth, you need to know the following features:

1. To maintain the aesthetics of the flower bed, it is necessary to remove the flower stalks after the flowers have wilted, maintaining a harmonious appearance of the composition. But this is only if you are not interested in further propagation of the flower using seeds.
2. In decorative flowering heuchera species, the peduncle is cut off immediately after the plant has finished flowering.
3. The lower leaves tend to fall off. In order to maintain the attractiveness of the flower bed, simply transplant the perennial into a deeper hole in order to cover the bald trunk.
4. To avoid drying out, hill up the bush. Sometimes this procedure should be done a couple of times a season.
5. Over time, heuchera leaves darken and thicken, but at the very beginning, that is, in the first months, they are brighter and more transparent.
6. To create a harmonious design, use compositions from plants such as daylilies, ornamental grasses, and primroses.

Varieties and types of Heyherella

Heucherella varieties differ in the shape and color of leaves, peduncles and shoot height. Using their diversity, you can create a wonderful garden composition. At the same time, there is no need to be tied to the flowering period of the plant, since their leaves are much more beautiful than the flowers. The most popular Heicherella varieties include:

• Bridget Bloom
• Rosalie
• Solar Power
• Quick Silver
• Kimono
• Stoplight
• Honey Rose
• golden zebra
• Tapestry

Bridget Bloom

Characterizing the Bridget Bloom variety, one can note the juicy green color of its leaves with brown veins and coral inflorescences on numerous peduncles. It got its name in honor of the daughter of the famous breeder Bloom. It blooms profusely from June to July.

Rosalie

The Rosalie variety has green-yellow leaves in the spring, which gradually darken. The veins of the leaves are dark red, which looks beautiful against the background of light colors. Its flower stalks delight the eye for a long time.

Solar Power

The owner of lemon and lime colored leaves with brown streaks is the Solar Power variety. Small white flowers look delicate against the background of carved foliage. The height of the variety reaches 30 cm.

Quick Silver

The Kwik Silver variety grows as a gray-silver bush with grape-shaped leaves. Blooms with white-silver arrows.

Kimono

Palm-shaped leaves with burgundy veins, distinctive from other representatives of Heicherella, are represented by the Kimono variety. Due to its ability to grow, it quickly forms a large bush with light pink peduncles.

Stoplight

The unusual coloring of the Stoplight variety attracts the eye of any person passing by. It has light green leaves with dark red streaks in the middle. It blooms from July to August with small white bells.

Honey Rose

The Honey Rose variety has in its spectrum a palette of foliage from yellow-orange to peach-red. Its leaves are deeply dissected. The flowering period occurs in the first half of summer.

golden zebra

Deeply cut golden leaves with a cherry center are characteristic of the Golden Zebra variety. In autumn, the color of the foliage changes and becomes orange-pink in the sun, and, on the contrary, turns green in the shade. This versatility of color gives an unsurpassed effect in the garden.

Tapestry

The green representative of the Heicherella family, Tapestri, is loved by all flower growers. Over the course of the season, its leaves change color from bluish to dark green. The leaves are decorated with brown veins, which combine perfectly with the pale pink flowers. Heucherella has quite massive roots, and some of its species grow up to 70 cm in height. These evergreen flowers are not capricious in care and like to grow in partial shade.

Planting heuchera in spring and autumn in the ground

How to plant heuchera in open ground photo

This is a shade-loving plant , so it is recommended to plant it in the ground in partial shade, without direct sunlight. The best option is the east side or the west side.

If the flower gets the afternoon sun, then it is necessary to maintain high humidity by abundant watering. You can design the flowerbed so that at lunchtime the bush is shaded by a taller plant. There are exceptions - red varieties. They reveal their palette only in a sunny flowerbed.

The video will tell you where and how to plant heuchera:

There should be no problems with the soil. Any with an acidity of 5-6 is suitable. You can also add dolomite flour or ash to the soil, this will deoxidize it. If you remember where heuchera comes from, namely from the mountainous regions of the country, then you can even plant the flower on a rocky area.

But still, give preference to fertile soil, so the heuchera will reward you with lush and luxurious flowering. Pay attention to the drainage, it should be about 3-5 cm. There should be no stagnation of water, so low areas are not suitable for planting. Experts also recommend sprinkling the rhizome with coarse sand or earth with coarse expanded clay, this will protect the heuchera root from rot. There are two methods of reproduction:

• Seed - they are collected from the peduncle, sown directly into the soil, previously loosened, and covered with soil. In order for seedlings to germinate more evenly, it is necessary to mix the seeds with sand. Before sowing, it is recommended to warm or freeze the soil. Plant in a low container, about 5 cm, with holes and cover with film or glass. After the third leaf, dive (distance 4-6 cm). We remove the cover for the flower. This method is only suitable for ordinary green varieties, because the seeds may not convey any varietal characteristics. A perennial blooms, which grew from seeds in the third year.
• Vegetative is the best option. The reason is that this guarantees the preservation of the varietal characteristics of the plant. It is easy to grow seedlings in a greenhouse from cut cuttings.

Plants are planted in holes 7-8 cm deep. The distance should be 20 cm between bushes. Rooting time is a month or a month and a half.

Planting a plant

Site selection and soil preparation

Heuchera is an unpretentious plant that grows well in both sun and partial shade.

Some varieties and species exhibit their decorative properties most clearly under certain conditions:

1. Varieties with red and dark leaves love open, bright places. In the sun, their color becomes richer, the leaves are larger and the pattern is more pronounced. During hot hours, they should be provided with partial shade.
2. Plants where light colors predominate (yellow, silver, light green) prefer partial shade. It is better to plant them where there is no sun in the afternoon. They “burn out” under direct rays.

Heuchera is not recommended to be planted near tree trunks, as such proximity can leave them without moisture. The superficial root system of heuchera cannot tolerate either a lack of moisture or its excess. In low-lying areas you need to find a higher place or make a raised bed.

Heucheras are undemanding plants when it comes to soil, but most of their species are mountainous, so it is important to provide them with good drainage. You can add fine gravel or sand to the soil

Soil treatment and preparation

Heuchera is a rather unpretentious plant when it comes to soil. It grows even in rocky areas, so it can withstand alkaline soil.

But for successful growth - the optimal pH level is 5 -6, light, fertile soil and good drainage:

1. In soil that is not acidic enough, add wood ash or chalk immediately before planting. It’s a good idea to add leaf humus or sawdust to acidify the soil.
2. The area with alkaline soil will need to be prepared in the fall. Depending on the degree of acidity, add limestone to the soil and dig it up, cultivation depth is 20 cm.
3. To improve the structure of rocky or sandy soil - well-rotted manure, it helps retain moisture at the roots of plants.
4. For clay soil, crushed bark makes it lighter, more structured and improves water permeability.
5. Garden compost is also suitable for enriching poor soils.

For deep drainage, use coarse sand or fine stone. You can use root drainage - when planting, pour expanded clay or finely chopped brick into the hole.

The process of planting in open ground

Heuchera is planted in open ground in June. You can pour crushed brick or expanded clay into the prepared holes as drainage. Cover the seedling with soil, leaving 2-3 cm to the top of the hole.

Carefully compact the soil around the seedling and cover it with mulch. Water and shade the plant until it adapts

Leave the distance between seedlings depending on the variety, for medium-leaved heucheras - 20-25 cm, for larger ones - 40-45 cm.

How to care for heuchera

As for care, then, as mentioned above, everything is elementary and simple and no special troubles are required on your part.

• There is no need to introduce fertilizing in the first year, since it is planted in already fertilized soil, and then reduce the recommended dose on the selected package by half and add before and after flowering, that is, twice a year.
• If this is an ornamental flowering crop, then use a universal fertilizer for flowering plants.
• For decorative foliage heuchera, use complex fertilizer. Mineral fertilizers should be introduced in moderation so as not to overfeed the flower, otherwise it will hurt.

Watering is carried out once every two days under normal weather conditions. You also need to not overdo it. You should not overwater the plant often. On hot days it is necessary to water the flower in the morning and evening. Also pay attention to prevent water from getting on the leaves, direct the stream under the flower to avoid burns. Otherwise, you risk getting unpleasant spotting on the gorgeous leaves. After planting, mulch the soil with peat, so you will forget about drying out and the problem of weeds.

Use in garden design

It is no coincidence that heucheras have become the most fashionable and indispensable perennials. Differences in the characteristics and requirements of varieties allow you to select plants for any location and composition. One thing remains the same: heucheras are stars! And the stars of the foreground. They decorate ceremonial compositions and catchy corners of the garden, the foreground and the most “prominent” places.

Heucheras can create a lush and bright background both independently and with partners. They bring diversity, contrasts, richness of textures, splendor, lace notes, visual fullness and lightness to ensembles at the same time.

Heucheras are used in the design of borders, ridges, flower beds, mixborders, arrays, ponds, landscape groups, for decorating front gardens, clearings and lawns. They are even grown for cutting.

Landscape perennials have always been considered ideal partners for heucheras. They look great in the company of any neighbors - irises, sedums, hostas, primroses, ornamental grasses, brunners, chistets, lungworts, phlox, astilbes, clarets, hazel grouse and the like. Heucheras often contrast and “highlight” shrubs - barberries, spirea, roses, junipers, etc.

Heucheras decorate ceremonial compositions and catchy corners of the garden, the foreground and the most “prominent” places. © FarOutFlora

Heuchera from seeds at home Growing seedlings

Heuchera growing from seeds at home Photos of seedlings

When to plant heuchera seeds? Seedlings are planted in March or April. It is not difficult to sow heuchera for seedlings; the rules of care do not differ at all from the usual agricultural techniques for growing small-seeded plants:

• We use a light substrate for planting, or you can use ready-made soil mixture for flowers from the store.
• We only use containers with holes in the bottom for good drainage.
• You need to sow carefully so as not to thicken the seedlings. You can place the seeds on a folded piece of paper and help yourself with a toothpick. So you can easily place the seeds at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other.
• Afterwards, the seeds are covered with a thin layer of earth or sand, gently moistened (with a spray bottle), and covered with glass, transparent plastic or polyethylene.
• Ventilate once a day, and after germination the cover is removed.
• Watering is carried out moderately so as not to provoke the development of putrefactive diseases.
• When the third leaf appears, the seedlings are transferred into separate containers for further growing.
• Two weeks before planting in the ground, hardening is carried out, gradually accustoming the plants to fresh air and sun.

Heuchera flower planting and care photo seedlings

To plant in the ground , the seedlings are carefully removed from the cup and placed vertically in the prepared hole, while simultaneously filling the remaining space with soil. Water abundantly to completely moisten the earthen clod.

Description of the plant

Heucheras are herbaceous perennials with spreading rosettes of wintering leaves up to 50 cm high and with woody, thickened roots that tend to bulge. The leaves are basal, lobed, on long petioles, dissected into 5-7-9 segments with beautiful serrated edges, differing among species and varieties in the pointedness or roundness of the lobes.

The color palette of Heuchera is very difficult to describe. All variations of the basic green, purple, brown, red colors are partially or completely hidden under steel, silver, gold, yellow, bronze, amber, orange, cream, ruby, ink, dove veins, splashes, washouts, spots, “powder”, patterns in sometimes the most unimaginable combinations. And each variety is special and unique! After all, Heuchera breeders rely on original features.

Summer flowering of heuchera lasts about 2 months. Graceful, thin shoots up to 1 m or more in height with loose panicle inflorescences of white, pink, red, light green or purple flowers grow and bloom at the same time. Heucheras are often not allowed to bloom or flower stalks that begin to fade are immediately removed. After all, with flowers, bushes age faster, lose compactness and density, and fall apart.

After flowering, small fruit capsules with seeds are formed, from which plants with different characteristics can be obtained.

Heuchera hybrid 'Sugar Frosting'. © provenwinners

Heuchera hybrid 'Peppermint Ice'. © Terranovanurseries

Heuchera hybrid 'Purple Petticoat'. © Terranovanurseries

Heuchera propagation by division How to replant a bush

Any experienced gardener knows how to divide heuchera. Beginners will benefit from our simple tips.

• Heuchera bushes are divided in spring or autumn once every 3-4 years, thus both rejuvenation of the plant and its reproduction occur. Otherwise, the bush may become bald. But we don't need this.
• Early autumn or late spring, respectively May or September , is the right time for planting.
• Having dug up the bush, you need to divide it into 2-3 parts.

How to divide heucheras photo

• Take a knife and simply cut the roots into approximately equal parts, being careful to keep the soil on the roots so that the seedlings will take root quickly.
• Plant as usual, watering thoroughly.

Reproduction of heuchera by dividing the bush photo

The size of a suitable hole for planting the separated part is 30 cm by 30 cm. The distance between the bushes is left equal to 25 cm. After planting, it is recommended to water the plant and mulch the space around the trunk. The new bush gains strength within a month.

It is recommended to have a special shaded place in order to propagate plants. The soil should be sandy, you can add ash. And after the newly made bush gets stronger, calmly transplant it to a permanent place.

Subtleties of growing a plant

Growing decorative heuchera has no special requirements, but there are a number of nuances that will help you get maximum aesthetic pleasure from the plant:

1. Peduncles of decorative deciduous varieties are removed immediately after their appearance, and in flowering varieties - before the fruits form.
2. Young fragile leaves must be protected from physical damage.
3. Periodically, the flower needs to be replanted into a deeper hole to prevent the bush from becoming loose.
4. The crop can be planted together with ornamental grasses, primroses, bergenia and daylilies.

Time and place for landing

The right time for planting heuchera is spring, starting from the second half of March. You can plant bushes in April if the ground is not warm enough. As for growing from seeds, you should be guided by information about planting dates from the manufacturer. The plant is not replanted in the fall, but cuttings can be prepared and left indoors for the winter.

Most heuchera varieties prefer partial shade, but there are also those that become more attractive in direct sunlight. It is preferable to plant plants on the eastern or western side of the site.

Soil for the plant

The morphological composition of the soil is not an essential criterion, but, like most herbs, heuchera prefers loose, fertile soil. The plant does not tolerate acidic soil well; acidity is allowed within 5-6 pH, which corresponds to neutral values.

Acidified soil can be corrected by adding wood ash, dolomite flour or chalk.

Heuchera grows best in conditions with good air permeability so that oxygen can easily pass through the soil. It needs a lot of moisture, which does not stagnate at the roots, so it is necessary to provide drainage. Expanded clay, clay chips and small pebbles are well suited for this.

Preparation of planting material

Heuchera can be grown from seeds or seedlings; the preparation of planting material depends on this:

1. The rhizomes of seedlings obtained by dividing the bush are washed, and the sections of the cuttings are sprinkled with ash and treated with a preparation for root growth.
2. Seedlings purchased in a store are inspected for damage or signs of disease; they should be planted immediately after purchase.
3. Before planting, the seeds are soaked for 2-3 hours in water, then allowed to dry and mixed with river sand before sowing. Usually, growing heuchera from self-collected seeds is not practiced at home.

Planting process

The technology for planting heuchera in open ground is simple and includes several stages:

1. Preparation of planting holes with a diameter of 0.3 m and a depth of the same size.
2. The distance between bushes should be about 30 cm.
3. The seedlings are lowered into the hole by transferring them from the container.
4. Fill the hole with soil and tamp lightly.
5. Each plant is watered abundantly at the root.
6. Mulch the soil around the heuchera with crushed peat, hay or sawdust.

See also

Characteristics and description of petunia variety Sophistry, planting and careRead

Heuchera propagation by cuttings

Heuchera cuttings photo

The second method of propagation is cuttings.

• In June or July, it is necessary to cut the cuttings so that they do not touch the rhizome.
• It is better to treat the cutting area with a root former; the leaves at the bottom are not needed, they can be removed, and after that the finished cuttings can be planted in peat or sand.
• For good growth and rooting it will take 2-4 weeks, with constant soil moisture and ventilation of the greenhouse.

Plant propagation

Heuchera is propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are harvested in early to mid-summer. The shoots are cut from the parent bush. It is necessary to make the cut close to the ground, but without affecting the root system. They are cut into 4-6 centimeter pieces, and the lower parts must be dipped in a product that stimulates the growth of the root system.

It is necessary to remove part of the leaf in order for it to take root - plant it in a substrate that consists of a peat-sand mixture. Placed in a small greenhouse located in the shade. It is necessary to constantly ventilate and water the cuttings. They will take root after three weeks to a month.

Heuchera pests and diseases

Heucheras do not get sick often, and if this happens, the situation is not critical. The main thing is not to overfeed the plant and thoroughly drain the soil, because otherwise the perennial becomes weaker and does not resist disease.

If powdery mildew appears on the leaves or root rot, then dig up the perennial and treat it with a fungicide; it won’t hurt to replant it in another place. And if affected by spotting or rust, spray with a solution of Bordeaux mixture once every two weeks until complete recovery. As for pests, you can use insecticides against snails, caterpillars, and leaf nematodes.

Growing problems

Caring for heuchera is simple. It can withstand high and low temperatures, light shade and full sun and is undemanding to the soil. Reproduction by dividing the bush allows you to quickly obtain several copies and distribute them throughout the area.

Hoya flower - what the varieties Carnosa, Kerry, Bella, fleshy, multiflora look like

The main problem encountered when growing this plant is rotting of the roots, which occurs due to stagnation of water. To prevent it, drain the soil well by adding a baking powder (sand or perlite).

Important! You should not plant in lowlands where water flows after rain.

With high humidity, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and rust can appear on the leaves. Affected specimens are treated with fungicides.

Dangerous insect pests include whiteflies, grooved weevils and white leafhoppers. They get rid of them using insecticides.

Heucheras fit harmoniously into any flower arrangement, adding bright colors to the landscape. Expressive compact bushes of the plant are able to fill empty spaces in the flowerbed, connecting all the plants into a coherent group. An unpretentious bright flower will delight the eye for many years.

Wintering Heuchera

This crop overwinters easily ; a little preparation is enough for comfort. Heuchera's winter hardiness is excellent, but in harsh winters you should play it safe. Leave the dried leaves untouched; later in the spring, after frosts, they are removed with pruning shears to activate and start the growth of new buds. This will additionally protect the plant from severe frosts. The main shelter should be constructed from oak leaves, spruce branches, hay, pine needles, straw or other similar material.

Diseases and pests

Heuchera has good immunity, especially if the plants were obtained by microclonal propagation from healthy specimens and went through the necessary stages of rejection. However, unfavorable weather conditions and poor-quality agricultural technology can cause the following problems:

1. Weak roots serve as food for weevil beetle larvae.
2. High humidity stimulates the proliferation of snails and slugs, which damage the leaves of the flower.
3. Heuchera can become infected with powdery mildew, rust, or leaf spot from weeds. Fungicides and Bordeaux mixture are used for treatment.

Types and varieties of heuchera Description and photos

There are quite a lot of varieties of heuchera - about 70 names. Most of them grow in forests and near mountain rivers in the USA and Mexico. The main types of heuchera are called: mountain and forest. Below we will look at the most popular varieties, which are used not only for decorating flower beds or creating a unique landscape design, but also for breeding more and more new varieties of heuchera. Hybrids are created in two directions, the first is lush flowering, the second is the decorative splendor of leaves.

Heuchera blood red Heuchera sanguinea

Heuchera flower blood red cultivation and care in open ground Photos of flowers

This variety belongs to the mountain species. It is characterized by pure green leaves, or with small splashes of silver, cream and white leaves. They are denser in structure than the leaves of other varieties of this perennial. The flowers are rich in color, red or dark pink, 1-1.5 cm in length.

The height of the bush reaches 40 cm in length. The peduncle is unstable and thin. Since in nature Heuchera comes from mountainous and northern places, it is very hardy. That's why flower growers loved her so much. The most comfortable place for blood-red heuchera will be a well-ventilated, shady area with excellent drainage. The most common varieties are Monet, Variegata and Hercules.

Heuchera villosa

Heuchera hairy Heuchera villosa in garden design photo

It has velvety and slightly pubescent leaves, quite large in size. The flowers are small, cream-colored, and bloom in June–August. In nature, it can be found in river valleys of the United States. Varieties differ in foliage color.

Heuchera cylindrica

Heuchera cylindrica in landscape design photo

Also a mountain species, with luxurious leaves and a high peduncle, glandular stems reach up to 90 cm. The flowers during flowering are large, they are white, coral, pink and green. The inflorescences are very dense. The leaves are green, toothed, rounded. The striking sheets feature a silver pattern plus veining in a contrasting color. Popular varieties of heuchera cylindrical: Greenfinch, Hyperion, Green Ivory.

Heuchera small-flowered Heuchera micrantha

Heuchera small-flowered obsidian Heuchera-micrantha 'Obsidian' in garden design photo

Bears the title of the most spectacular species. This is well deserved. The thing is that in nature the color of the leaves is purple, and breeders have added brightness to the already chic look. The leaf shape is maple. Peduncle 60 cm, small flowers of creamy pink color. The plant is unpretentious, frost-resistant, loves slightly acidic soil. The variety Palace Purple belongs to Heuchera small-flowered; in 1999 it was recognized as the best perennial.

Heuchera americana

Heuchera americana Dales Strain in landscape design photo

Known as mountain geranium. In nature, American heuchera grows near the Great Lakes. It is attractive for its leaves, namely its red veins. Below is a purple leaf. The shape of the leaf is rounded, and the ends are beautifully jagged. During the growing season it changes color, the brightest shades are in autumn and spring.

Heuchera hybrida Heuchera hybrida

Heuchera hybrid Caramel Heuchera 'Caramel' Coral Bells photo in the garden

It turned out by crossing blood-red heuchera with American heuchera. The leaves, peduncles and flowers are larger than those of its predecessors. The leaves are green with contrasting veins, and the flowers are white, red or pink. Varieties: Cancan, Beauty Color, Cappuccino, Ruby Vale.

Varieties

Before planting and caring for perennial heuchera (photo), you need to choose the right variety that would fit into the flowerbed and become an important component in it. Of course, you need to consider how the leaves and peduncles are combined with other flowers.

Very beautiful deep dark burgundy leaf color. This heuchera will be the highlight of almost any composition.

Popular varieties:

Alba. Flowers are 40-50 cm high, appear in mid-summer and remain on the stems until autumn. The foliage is bright green and the flowers are white.

Robusta. The height of the flowers is 40-50 cm, they are dark red, quite large in comparison with other species. They will delight you at the beginning of summer. The leaves are green but change to red as the season progresses.

Snow storm. The flowers are not very high from the rosette, only 30 cm, they have a bright red color, which appears at the very end of autumn and beginning of summer. The leaves are variegated - white-green. Despite its appearance and name, it is not winter hardy. Splash. The flowers are located at a height of 30-40 cm, pink. They bloom in early summer. The leaves in this variety attract more attention than the flowers; they are very noticeable: the base is green, light green spots run along it, and the veins are crimson-red.

Purple Castle. The flowers bloom at a height of 40-50 cm and delight with their white color from mid-spring until frost. The leaves are purple with a metallic tint.

Cappuccino. The height of the inflorescences is up to 50 cm, the color fully corresponds to the name of the variety, it pleases in the summer - for a couple of months. The leaves are mostly green, with veins interspersed with cream.

Rachel. Soft pink flowers bloom in summer, bronze-purple leaves.

Requirements for soil composition

Representatives of the Saxifraga family do not tolerate acidic soils, preferring soil with an acidity level in the range of 5-6 units. An excellent solution would be to plant heuchera on rocky surfaces, but in this case the foliage on the bush will not have a pronounced volume.

The best option would be to plant shrubs on loose alkaline soil with a sufficient content of mineral and organic fertilizers. It is also important to pre-organize a drainage layer, which will contribute to the uniform distribution of moisture in the soil.

Excessive watering and stagnation of liquid will inevitably lead to hypothermia of the roots and the development of a number of diseases.

Organization of plant watering

This representative of the Saxifraga family belongs to plants resistant to moderate drought. There are a number of rules for watering a flower:

• During periods of moderately high temperatures, the shrub is watered once every 48 hours, as the top layer of soil dries.
• During periods of maximum high temperatures, watering is carried out twice a day, but only in the early morning and late evening.

Watering is carried out strictly at the root, because drops of moisture on the surface of the leaves can cause burns. You can maintain a sufficient level of soil moisture by mulching the soil around the bush.