Heuchera ‘Venus’ on 4-13-18, #425-15.
Alum Root, Coral Bells
Heuchera
HEW-ker-a
2012 National Garden Bureau Perennial of the Year
Heuchera L. is the accepted scientific name for this genus of flowering plants. It was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753.
As of 12-26-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 44 accepted species of Heuchera. It is a member of the plant family Saxifragaceae with 40 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
The genus is named after Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677-1747). He was a botanist, medicinal plants expert, and physician from Germany.
According to information online, most cultivars available are hybrids of Heuchera americana, Heuchera micrantha, and Heuchera villosa.
Heuchera americana L. was named and described by Carl von Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. There are two accepted infraspecific names of Heuchera americana.
Heuchera micrantha Douglas was named and described by David Douglas in Edward’s Botanical Register in 1830. The International Plant Names Index lists the scientific name as Heuchera micrantha Douglas ex Lindl. which would mean that John Lindley could have published this name using the description from Mr. Douglas… There are four accepted infraspecific names of Heuchera micrantha.
Heuchera villosa Michx. was named and described by André Michaux in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803. There is one accepted infraspecific name of Heuchera villosa.
Heuchera have always been one of my favorite perennials for the shadier garden next to Hosta. When I first moved to my grandparent’s farm in 1981, I bought several Heuchera from Bluestone Perennials. When I came back in 2013, I had a lot of work to do helping dad work on fences, doing the gardening, and so on. I had moved my Hosta from Mississippi so I made a shade bed but didn’t buy any Heuchera until 2014. Then in the spring of 2017, I made a new shade bed and bought three more Heuchera cultivars and hope to add a few more every spring. There are many cultivars available from a few prominent breeders, such as Terra Nova. Some cultivars are better to grow in areas with colder winters while some are better in areas with warmer summers. The H. villosa hybrids are supposed to be quite promising as well as the x Heucheralla hybrids (intergeneric crosses between Heuchera and Tiarella).
Several species of Heuchera were used by the Native Americans as herbal remedies.
I have MANY Heuchera, x Heucheralla, and Tiarella cultivars on my wish list…
The links below direct you to information about the genus, growing, plus a few of the more well-known suppliers and specialists. There are many more sources such as Wayside Gardens, White Flower Farm, etc, etc…
The Missouri Botanical Garden has information on 103 species and cultivars of Heuchera.
Heucheras.com is a website with MANY photos and information about Heuchera. They also have a HOW TO GUIDE for propagating Heuchera.
Plant Delights Nursery has a very good article about Heucheras by Tony Avent and Dennis Carrey.
The Master Gardener Program of the University of Wisconsin has a very good article about Heucheras. It was written in commemoration of the Heuchera being the 2012 National Garden Bureau Perennial of the Year. You will like it!
Dave’s Garden has a very good article titled “Heucheras: A Conversation with Heuchera Breeder Dan Heims.” Mr. Heims talked with Dave’s Garden writer Terri Lewin and she wrote this very good article. Mr. Heims is a breeder for Terra Nova Nurseries, one of the foremost breeders of Heuchera (and many other perennials). There is a link to Terra Nova below.
Very interesting Terra Nova has the same article as The Master Gardener Program. Theirs says it is by Dan Heims while the other one says “posted by” Susan Mahr… Maybe it is on the NGB website… All I could find was 2018 information.
I have experience with six cultivars. You can click on the plant’s name under the photos to go to their own pages…
I would like to hear from you if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions. please leave a “Like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂
What are your favorite Heuchera cultivars and where is your favorite source?
FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE
WIKIPEDIA
A. VERSCHOOR HORTICULTURE
THE SPRUCE
BLUESTONE PERENNIALS
PLANT DELIGHTS NURSERY
PROVEN WINNERS
TERRA NOVA NURSERIES
HOSTA’S DIRECT (HEUCHERA CARE & MAINTENANCE)
Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ on 5-25-19, #576-30.
I brought this Heuchera ‘Lime Ricky’ home from a local greenhouse in 2018. I like its chartreuse leaves.
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Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ on 5-15-20, #700-8.
I brought this Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ home from Lowe’s in 2017. It is a Terra Nove introduction and they say it is the “black standard” and has leaves that do not fade… It has done pretty well but the deer like nibbling on its leaves.
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Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ on 6-14-15, #268-25.
I brought this Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ home from Lowe’s in 2014. It has done very well despite an issue a few years ago…
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Heuchera ‘Purple Petticoats’ on 5-1-09, #12-35.
I brought this Heuchera ‘Purple Petticoats’ home from Lowe’s in 2009 when I lived in Mississippi. The heat and humidity got to it and it didn’t survive long…
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Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ on 7-19-17, #357-31.
I brought this Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ home from Lowe’s in 2017 and it is also a Terra Nova introduction. It did great in 2017 but 2018 was a different story and the H. ‘Southern Comfort’ didn’t quite get with the program. I moved it to a new location then a mole started causing it problems. It eventually died…
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Heuchera ‘Venus’ on 5-5-19, #566-30.
I brought the Heuchera ‘Venus’ home from Lowe’s in 2017. It has done better than any of the other Heuchera.
The Belmont Rooster 