This is one of the most ornamental and useful perennial groups in our garden. It has an interesting and wide colour range, a compact neat habit, beautiful textures, and is semi-evergreen. The spikes of tinny heuchera flowers are useful for creating a feel of elegant and airy space in the flower beds or along a path. Depending on the varieties, it can be grown in full sun to almost full shade, and requires little maintenance effort. Fortunately, most varieties are available here simply because it is currently a 'fashion' perennial with new varieties coming out every year (unlike maples and conifers with very limited varieties available in Canada relative to other Western countries). I often find that the appearance of a heuchera in the catalog is deceiving. Quite a few of them are much more ornamental in the garden than they look in the catalog. Also, I believe some of the heucheras that we have were mis-tagged by the suppliers, and we are hoping that over time we can gradually sort them out. It is extremely annoying, but not much we can do about it.
When established, many can remain in the same spot for many years. However it is worthwhile noting that the leaf base may rise gradually over time, and the plant may need to be re-buried to cover up to the leaf base. Some varieties do not survive well in too much sun, and some only have their best colour in full sun. Although most heucheras can take a fair bit of shade, and are therefore, very useful for shade gardens, we found that their leaf colours look their best only if they are given as much light as they like, but not more.
Our experience with heuchera started with a package of seeds for 'Palace Purple' more than 15 years ago. It turned out to be one of my favourite plants. It self-sows generously without being invasive, and provide me with many filler plants for many different locations. An original clump from seeds has been keeping itself fresh for more than 15 years. Occasionally, I collected some seeds from the garden and sow them for use as fillers. The results are always very satisfying;
It is probably the second heuchera that came from a nursery by way of a birthday present from my kids, and I promptly lost it because of where I planted it (honest!). I acquired a replacement quickly beacuse I was intrigued by the interaction of the colour of the leaves with the light. In the shade, the whole plant can look like a bouquet of flower among the green leaves. It does not do well in the sun for me. Morning sun is supposed to work best for its colour; haven't tried that yet. Apparently, this is a proud parent of many newer varieties.
This is a new acquisition, and is still under observation.
It was puchased as a small mail ordered plant two years ago, and has just started to show its true character. It like full sun. It would be a good companion for hostas and conifers....
It appears that the nice smoky black colour is replaced by a shiny dark brown colour when planted in full sun; more observation necessary. It is part of this year's acquisition.
This is a colourful heuchera that has interesting colour variation from early spring to fall: one our favourites. It looks similar to 'Marmalade' except with less reddish orange tone.
I was not particularly attracted by it when looking at the catalog (partly because of the name). I got it as part of my birthday present from my mother-in-law. It shines in the garden with beautiful large ruffle foliage, and with colour far prettier than anything described as 'chocolate'. It is a vigorously plant, and likes full sun.
It is part of this year's acquisition, and is under observation.
I forgot about this one until I noticed it was 'bushing' out in the middle of a perennial bed early this fall. Its beautiful light marble pattern and relatively large, vigorous, curvy leaves would make it an elegant composition object.
By the look of its form and size, this is going to be a big heuchera. The leaf colour appears much better if it is situated in partial shade. The leaves are not big and and are on tall stems. It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
It is probably one of the prettiest colour heuchera; hope it survives. It is part of this year's acquisitions.
It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
This is another heuchera that looks better in the garden than in the catalog. It appears to have a neat, refine, and compact form. The leaf colour and marking are not particularly distinctive. It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
It started out as a small mail oredered plant. It produces relatively large bright red blooms that last a long time. Its a small leaf compact plant. It is cuurently in partial shade. I should probably try it in more sunny location.
It is part of this year's acquisitions in a 4 in pot; hope it lives up to its reputation.
This heuchera is prettier in the garden than in the pictures. It did well in full sun and dry condition producing beautiful dark 'Licorice' foliage. I made a mistake of moving it to a somewhat more shady spot to better protect it. It thrives, but the colour is not as dark and shiny. That is one thing heuchera growers should remember: it may look like a different plant with different colours under different level of exposure, and possibly soil conditions.
This heuchera is doing quite well in my garden for a few years now. It has beautiful lime green leaves ideally suited for garden composition. I planted it in full sun, although growers suggest it is for 'shade only'. Although it is vigorous, it appears to suffer some leaf burn from hot summer sun. It is a seedling of 'Amber Waves'.
I am not sure how would the intersting leaf pattern look among other plants in the garden. We will see. Perhaps, the colour pattern can be improved with more sunlight. I think it will be a good companion for hostas and conifers. It is part of this year's acquisition.
This is one of our favourite heucheras. It appears to be similar to Caramel in colour except that it seems more reddish and smaller overall. We have one in full sun and one in at least shade. Both are doing fine.
This was picked up as an 'end of summer' half-dead sale, and is still quite weak in my garden. It has a beautiful purple hue sprinkled with tiny pink dots, and appears to be an excellent subject for composition; matching almost any colours or textures.
It is part of this year's acquisition, and so far, it does not appear to be as attractive as shown in catalog; too early to tell.
This is one of darkest leaf heucheras, and thrives well in full sun.
I started these from seeds more than 15 years ago. Although some gardeners dislike them mostly because they are considered 'common'. I consider them to be one of the best perennials I have. They self-sow readily but not wildly. I use them as fillers in many parts of the gardens; sun or shade. It was stated that original seed strains have been diluted over the years into inderior plants since its initial sowing in the Queen's Place Garden in Kew, and clonal plants of the original selection is currently available, and seeds from Jelitto are of superior quality. However, I am perfectly contented with my self-sow seedlings regardless of whether they are qualified as 'original Palace Purple' or not.
This is one of the prettiest heuchera.
It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
This heuchera did not show the bright pink colour as shown in the catalog. It is, nevertheless, a pretty heuchera with a distinctive look. Perhaps it needs more sun for better colour.
This is another heuchera that was started from a small mail ordered plant. It is suitable for use in rock garden. Its small leaves are bronze and marbled with silver. It needs a new home to show its attributes.
I lost this heuchera last winter before I have a chance to take a picture.
It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation. There was no sign of orange in its first season. I strongly suspect it is a mis-tagged plant.
This heuchera is in its second year. There are no dramatic attributes noted yet. The leaves are frilly similar to its parent 'Chocolate Ruffle', but appears to be smaller and more compact. It was to show good winter foliage (in Europe).
This is one of my most delicate and refine looking heuchera. It is a neat and small plant that will be very useful for garden composition. It is in its second year, and was acquired as a small, mail ordered plant.
It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
This heuchera is supposed to have interesting colour changes over the seasons. It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
This is a very vigorous heuchera when given enough sun. It should be used with darker colour companions to bring out its attributes.
It is part of this year's acquisitions, and is still under observation.
No picture yet
One of the best heucheralla.
This heucheralla seems smaller, less vigorous but more delicate looking than Heuchellera 'Stoplight'. It appears to have difficulty with too much sun.
I forgot to take pictures of our Tiarellas. This common one will do for now. It has been with us for many years.
Only two thing are infinite; the universe and human stupidity, and I am not sure of the former.
Albert Einstein
