Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Perennial Of The Day

Heuchera 'Green Spice'
Alumroot, Coral Bells

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 6" to 9" / 15cm to 23cm

Spread 14" to 16" / 35cm to 40cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment

This plant tolerates some drought.

This plant will grow in moist soil.

Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.

The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green, silvery and variegated

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes

These herbaceous, evergreen, perennial herbs are increasing in popularity due to the fact that newer varieties of Heucheras offer taller and larger flowers, ruffled foliage and increased hardiness to heat, humidity and cold. Heucheras are already valued for their lovely, varied foliage and striking, bell-shaped flowers in various colors. Their stalks spike up from the center of the plant and vary in height.

When planting, make sure crowns are just above the soil level. Keep plants moist, but well-drained, and mulch before the onset of cold weather. It's highly unlikely that Heucheras will survive in clay. In the South, Heucheras do best if planted in partial shade; if grown in cooler climates, the plant flowers longer if spent blossoms are removed. Many Heucheras will attract both hummingbirds and bees.

'Green Spice' has variegated foliage of greenish-gray-silver colorations with purple veins.