Heucheras and Heucherellas
Heucheras originated as woodland plants
in North America, and are well-suited to British gardens, with their attractive
leaves providing an ideal foil for other herbaceous plants. The leaves
with varied colours and patterns are increasingly used in floral art. While
not slug-proof, in our experience they are rarely damaged, and customers
tell us that they are seldom targeted by rabbits.
 Heucheras are invaluable
ever-green foliage plants for the garden, where they can be used in the
herbaceous border, in containers, or even in hanging baskets.
Depending
on the cultivar, the size of the mound of foliage varies from 15 cm to
60 cm, while the stems of flowers reach 15cm to 90 cm tall. Heucheras require
a moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Purple foliage cultivars
with marbled or marked leaves keep their contrast best in full sun. Cultivars
with yellow foliage require part or full shade as the leaves are prone
to scorching.
To maintain well-shaped plants we
advise customers to lift Heucheras and re-plant them 8cm to 10cm deeper,
burying the woody stems that tend to grow out of the crown. The plants
can also be divided at this stage.
Heucherellas are produced by crossing
Heucheras and Tiarellas, and generally have Tiarella-type flowers with
Heuchera foliage. They have the same cultural requirements as Heucheras.
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