Tag Archives: Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’

Defiant Coral Bell

North bed on 5-23-25.

Hello everyone! I hope this post finds you well. All the plants in the north bed are doing very well. We’ve been getting plenty of rain lately which always helps. I brought home three very large Colocasia esculenta rhizomes a while back that I planted in the bed. One was sprouting already and the other two had started to rot… Hmmm… So, we shall see what happens.

The four Heuchera (Coral Bells, Alum Root, etc.) on 5-23-25.

In a previous post from May 1, I mentioned having to wait for Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’ to flower before I could make sure it was actually that cultivar. Well, waiting hasn’t done any good because I’m still not sure.

As of 5-24-25, there are 46 species of Heuchera worldwide. According to Flora of North America, 32 of those species are native to North America. There are two listed on the Missouri Plants website…

Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’ on 5-23-25, #1046-7.

Heuchera, commonly known as Alum Root, Coral Bells, etc., are really neat plants. They grow in a mounded shape for the most part and send up long spikes of flowers that last quite a while. Well, sometimes… There are many cultivars available with very showy leaves like the one pictured above that I “think” is Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’.

Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’ on 5-23-25, #1046-9.

Heuchera americana is actually a native wildflower of the United States and has been used as a parent of many cultivars to add hardiness, vigor, and color. The leaves can change color somewhat throughout the season with some cultivars.

Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain with a 51″ tall stem on 5-22-25, #1045-15.

While the mound of leaves is only 12″ tall, the tallest flowering stem (without proper terminology) 51″…

Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’ on 5-23-25, #1046-8.

The flowers are…. Ummm…. Well, I still don’t know. Information online says it produces white flowers… The Wikipedia  article says. “Loose racemes of insignificant green to cream flowers up to 1 meter tall bloom June to August. It is a monecious plant with 5 stamen and can either have 5 petals and sepals or 5 tepals.” Copied and pasted here… Let’s back up a minute… Information online says ‘Dale’s Strain’ produces white flowers with no mention of them being “insignificant”… So I waited… When it comes to flowering plants, I have now learned what insignificant actually means. It means not to wait for a show.

Heuchera sanguinea ‘Coral Forest’ on 5-23-25, #1046-10.

The Heuchera sanguinea ‘Coral Forest’ started sending up flowering stems about the last part of April. The plant has made it to 10 1/2″ tall. The species is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.

Heuchera sanguinea ‘Coral Forest’ on 5-23-25.

The leaves of Heuchera sanguinea ‘Coral Forest’ are, well, green… Kind of a mottled bi-color. Sorry, I didn’t measure the leaves because I haven’t thought about it the last 4 times I kept taking photos of these guys for the day (and twice yesterday). I didn’t think about until now…

Heuchera sanguinea ‘Coral Forest’ with 31″ stems on 9-22-25, #1045-18.

Even though the height to the tallest leaf is 10 1/2″ tall, the tip of the longest (or tallest) flowering stem is 31″! It would be really neat if the stems would stand up straight. Ummm… I didn’t count how many stems there are either. GEEZ! The things you don’t think about!

Heuchera sanguinea ‘Coral Forest’ on 5-23-25, #1046-12.

This plants flowers have been open the entire month of May! Yeah, it actually has flowers that you can see and they are so bright it is hard to get a good photo… The first flower photos I took of this plant was May 8 but that was because I didn’t have time sooner.

As you can see in the photo, the Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill) is now blooming like crazy.

Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ on 5-23-25, #1046-1.

The Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ has had its ups and downs since I brought it home in 2014, but it is doing great in this bed. The mound is 16″ tall x 21″ wide now.

Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ on 5-23-25, #1046-2.

I really like the deep maroon color of the leaves. This one hasn’t started sending up flowering stems yet, but the flowers are kind of a pinkish color. I have taken photos of its flowers, but you’ll have to go to its own page to see them.

Heuchera ‘Venus’ on 5-23-24, #1046-3.

Heuchera ‘Venus’ has undoubtedly been the hardiest Heuchera I have grown. It just keeps going no matter what! Even during the winter, this plant took the cold temps without hesitation. It is now 12″ tall x 32″ wide… Yep, 32″!

Heuchera ‘Venus’ on 5-23-24, #1046-4.

Heuchera ‘Venus’ was hybridized by Wijnhout of the Netherlands. Information on this plant’s page says it grows to a height of 12″ tall and a width also of 12″… Hmmm…

Heuchera ‘Venus’ on 5-23-25, #1045-5.

There are many Heuchera cultivars with similar leaves, so it’s a good thing I know what this one is. The leaves to change color with the seasons.

Heuchera ‘Venus’ with a 53″ flowering stem on 5-23-25, #1046-6.

Well… Information online says Heuchera ‘Venus’ produces white flowers on 18″ stems… I measured the tallest stem, which was on the ground, at 53″ tall. So, if the stems are on the ground, are they tall or long? I didn’t take any close-ups of its flowers, but they are, as with Heuchera americana ‘Dale’s Strain’, insignificant… I guess with amazing leaves, flowers aren’t important.

I have grown a few other Heuchera over the years that didn’t make it. They can heave during the winter, but I think their biggest problem were the moles burrowing under their roots during the winter. Then, rather than heaving, the plants would fall in the tunnels during the winter and their crowns would get covered up causing them to die. Even though I would replant them if I could, they would just kind of fizzle out.

Here are some of their best photos…

Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ on 5-25-19, #576-30.

Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ was a neat small Coral Bell with chartreuse leaves that produced dainty racemes with white flowers. It fizzled out and didn’t return in the spring of 2024.

Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ on 10-11-17, #382-30.

The Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ is the darkest leaved Heuchera cultivar, or at least it was at the time of its introduction by Terra Nova. I brought it home in 2017 and it had its share of ups-and-downs. There wasn’t much left of it when I moved the Heuchera to the north bed in 2023, then it didn’t come back up in 2024…

Heuchera ‘Purple Petticoats’ on 5-1-09, #12-35.

Hmmm… I brought this Heuchera ‘Purple Petticoats’ home when I lived in Mississippi. Well, the heat apparently got to it and it didn’t last the summer… I didn’t bring home any other Coral Bells while living in Mississippi… This is the only photo I have of this plant.

Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ on 5-31-17, #339-13.

I brought this Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ home in 2017 when I made the “new” shade bed. It was a neat plant and although I moved it a couple of times, it eventually fizzled out during the summer of 2018. Moles were its biggest issue and one day I found it was pushed clear out of the ground…

The shade bed was initially a great place for the Heuchera and Hosta, but it did have its issues. The moles were a problem, it was handy for deer to nibble on the plants on occasion, it was next to the old goldfish pool so it was a mosquito haven, and it was under two elm trees whose leaves would be eaten to shreds by Japanese Beetles. No leaves, no shade…

The north bed is a much better spot and the Hosta and Heuchera seem to be doing very well. It is also much easier to keep them well watered and maintained along the house.

If you haven’t tried them, Coral Bells are great plants and easy to maintain if you live where they will thrive. There are many cultivars and hybrids available with very showy leaves. Just watch out for the moles and their roots heaving over the winter.

Well, I think that’s all for this post. At least it’s time to stop before I decide to add something else.

Until next time, be safe, stay well, always be thankful, and GET DIRTY!!!

Ajuga, Heuchera, Hosta, Leptinella & Zantedeschia Update

Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’-Bugleweed

Hello again! I am back with round two of the update. The Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’ has struggled through the winter and probably 80% of has died out. What is left is beginning to bud. Later on, I will have to replant what has died with new plants from what is left. They can spread pretty fast so that won’t be a problem. You have to be careful with Bugleweed as they have a tendency to become too thick which can lead to crown rot.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that only two of the Hosta I bought last year survived the winter. Well, I made a very good discovery Friday… I was looking for the new Hosta behind the tags and they were in front of them. SO, the only one that didn’t return is Hosta ‘Rainforest Sunrise’. The following are in the order the photos were taken.

 

Hosta ‘Empress Wu’

I am very glad the Hosta ‘Empress Wu’ survived the winter. I planted this Hosta last spring by the porch on the north side of the house because I want something there that makes a statement. I have had this cultivar in mind for this spot for several years but I could only find them online. Last spring I found one at a garden center in Clinton but didn’t want to pay over $20.00 for a gallon size pot. Then I found the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant’ which I planted there but farther away from the wall because I knew it would get big. Then after that, I found a smaller Hosta ‘Empress Wu’ at a local greenhouse. Well, even though I had kind of used that spot for the Colocasia ‘Thailand Giant’, I still had to have the Hosta ‘Empress Wu’. I planted it behind the Colocasia in the corner. In time, this Hosta will be very big as it is the largest Hosta cultivar available.

 

Hosta ‘Guacamole’

Hosta ‘Guacamole’ appears right on the heels of ‘H. ‘Potomac Pride’. I bought this award-winning Hosta from Lowe’s in the spring of 2014. The clump has spread nicely and it always makes a good show during the summer. It is always good to see it return in the spring.

 

Hosta ‘Red October’

The Hosta ‘Red October’ has been with me since 2009 I brought from Mississippi. Last year it showed some signs of needing help, so this spring I may need to give it some attention. I have lost two Hosta I brought with me and I don’t intend to lose a third which is why I moved H. ‘Krossa Regal’ last spring.

 

Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’

Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ is another award-winning Hosta I bought in 2009 while living in Mississippi. This clump gets larger every year and the plant keeps getting more dramatic. It is a beautiful blue-green Hosta with AWESOME thick, puckered and corrugated leaves!

 

Hosta ‘Potomac Pride’

Hosta ‘Potomac Pride’ is always the first to appear in the spring so it is always the one I check first. I brought this cultivar with me from Mississippi, too. It keeps getting bigger every year and has never ceased to be AWESOME!

 

Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’

I bought this plant from an Ebay seller in 2009 while living at the mansion in Mississippi, too. I actually bought my first Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’ after I moved to the farm when my grandpa passed away in 1981. I always liked its vase-shaped growth habit and leaf color, kind of a powdery blue-green. I had to relocate this clump last spring so I divided it while I was at it. I was a little worried at first this spring because it looked like most of it didn’t survive. Fortunately, it appears all the plants from the division have made it now.

 

Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’

Thank goodness the Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ survived the winter. I bought this cultivar in the spring of 2014 but I thought it was a gonner in 2016. Fortunately, it came back again in 2017 so I moved it in front of where I moved the Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’. Hopefully, it will do better this year. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ was the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year in 1991. It was also the number one selling Heuchera for 20 years straight.

 

Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’

Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’ was new for me last spring and my first gold-leaved cultivar. It is certainly a show stopper with its bright leaves you can see from far away. I am anxious to see how well it does this year.

 

Iris fulva-Copper Iris

I brought this AWESOME iris from Mississippi where I found it growing in the backyard at the mansion. I couldn’t leave without bringing several tubers with me and they have spread nicely. This past winter proved they are hardy down to -10° F!

 

Hosta ‘Forbidden Fruit’

“HERE I AM!!!” I almost S–T!!! It isn’t every day your Hosta calls out to you like that. Just look how big it is already!!! I was looking behind the tag this whole time and it was in front of it instead covered with leaves. GEEZ! WOW, was I glad to see it!

 

Hosta Abique Drinking Gourd’

Since the Hosta ‘Forbidden Fruit’ was in front of its tag, I look in front of the lag for H. ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’. Sure enough, there it was, too! Very good! This cultivar was the 2014 American Hosta Growers Association Hosta of the Year. It has thick puckered leaves that are cup-shaped. I am looking forward to seeing what this plant can do as the years go by. It will be AWESOME!

 

Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’

Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is just sitting there looking like it has the last three times I have taken its photo. I am not complaining because at least it survived the winter and without much mulch a lot of the time. It is on the end and the wind seems to blow its cover off and on and it isn’t as deep as the others so some of its roots are exposed. I cover it up and it disappears. Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a MULTIPLE award winner and am glad I found it last spring at Lowe’s. This Hosta was introduced 18 years years ago and is still very popular.

 

Heuchera ‘Obsidian’

I wasn’t worried about the new Heuchera surviving the winter because there were visible signs of them the whole time and they all came through with flying colors. Heuchera is a Terra Nova introduction and is supposed to be the “blackest” Heuchera. It did very well last summer and I have no doubt it will be great in 2018 as well.

 

Heuchera ‘Venus’

Heuchera ‘Venus’ sure looks different when it first starts growing in the spring compared to how it looks in the summer. The leaves will be a silvery-green with maroon veins. Well, that depends on the light and time of the year. Heuchera ‘Venus’ is part of the Planet Collection hybridized by Wijnhout from the Netherlands and introduced in 2003. I had several similar cultivars on my wishlist but I had not heard of this one until I found it at Lowe’s last spring. It was a very good performer last year and had the tallest flower stems.

 

Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’

The Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ is another Terra Nova introduction I found at Lowe’s last spring. Earlier during the winter, something dug a hole in front of this plant. I filled the hole in but whatever it was kept coming back. This plant is kind of on a slope which didn’t help either. Fortunately, it wasn’t affected by having its roots partially exposed off and on. The wind kept the leaf mulch blown off this plant, too. This cultivar is fun to watch during the summer as its leaves change color with age. It is a very nice Coral Bell for sure!

 

Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’-Brass Buttons

I was just thrilled and overjoyed that the Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’ survived the winter. It is without a doubt one of the most dainty plants I have ever grown and here it survived a very cold January, even down to -10° F temperatures on more than one occasion. 🙂

 

Zantedeschia elliottiana-Golden Calla Lily

A few weeks ago I noticed the Calla Lily sprouting where I had it stored in the basement. It was really nice last summer in the shade bed, but I will put it where it will get a little more sun this year. I guess I need to put it in a pot, huh? I had a pretty large clump in Mississippi from bulbs I found in a box of Suzanne’s but it turned out to be pink. I used to remove them and bring them inside for the winter as a houseplant until I found out it was pink. After I started leaving it outside, it spread like crazy! It was a different species because the leaves were solid green. The species name on the label from this one says Zantedeschia hybrida. GEEZ! It is without a question, a Zantedeschia aethiopica hybrid because it has spotted leaves. It also has very yellow flowers. 🙂 Ummm. I don’t have a page for the Calla yet…

So, the only Hosta that didn’t survive the winter was the Hosta ‘Rainforest Sunrise’. Maybe someday it will come up after all.

I think that is it for now. I went out earlier and took photos for the next post. It will be a tour of the yard (s) and where all the beds are. I know I get confused how to explain where the beds are and when I talk about “the other yard”. Maybe I will draw a map. 🙂

Until next time, be safe, stay well and positive. Oh yeah… GET DIRTY! 🙂