Heucherella

Botanical/Latin
   Heucherella

Pronunciation
   hew-ker-rel-ah

Common Name
   Foamy bells

Hardiness zone range
   3

General Comments
Ground cover perennials that have a subtle and beautiful charm, they form basal clumps of evergreen, scalloped shaped leaves and slender upright flowering stems that proudly display the sprays of numerous, dainty little flowers well above the foliage. Flowering begins in spring, extending until early summer with re-blooming capability in autumn.

Light Preference
Partial shade.

Culture & Care
Reliable and easy to grow, they perform best in loamy, humus rich soils, that are well drained and have the capacity of retaining moisture in summer. This can be enhanced by adding compost or other humus media at planting time and mulching afterwards.

After flowering, trim off the dead heads and any old leaves, when the clumps become crowded and begin to loose vigor, they should be lifted, divided and replanted, a light dressing with a well balanced fertilizer in spring also helps to keep them healthy and growing well.

Uses
A lightly shaded spot is ideal, they are perfect in beds under trees and specimen shrubs, where the attractive foliage and airy spikes of dainty flowers look great either as a small group or when planted as bold drifts of ground cover.

The clump forming habit and shape means they are frequently used towards the front of beds and borders, as edging along paths, walls or fences, on raised beds and sloping banks. In town gardens, that are often shaded by tall buildings and where space is at a premium, they really “pay their rent” by creating plenty of color and interest, only taking up a small space and needing only minimal upkeep.

Hummingbirds like to visit the nectar rich flowers.

Background
These are unusual bi-generic hybrids created by crossing Heuchera (Coral Bells) with Tiarella (Foam Flower) hence the name Heucherella. Most genera will not cross with another separate genus, as it can only happen when the two parents are genetically compatible. Hybrids like this are identified by proceeding the name by a multiplication sign (x Heucherella).

The first Heucherella hybrids to be introduced as garden plants came from the nursery of Lemoine at Nancy, France around 1912. It was Heuchera briziodes crossed with Tiarella cordifolia. The new plants inherited the best ornamental characteristics of each parent and they became known as X Heucherella tiarelloides.

The idea spread and more crosses followed, by using different species and combinations. The seedlings took on different characteristics, but they did not prove popular until Alan Bloom introduced x Heucherella alba ‘Bridget Bloom’ in 1958. The shell pink flowers (which last for a long time) and the good foliage made it a popular and lasting choice.

Breeding and selection continues today and several promising cultivars are likely to emerge in the next few years.

Splendor Suggestions
When the main burst of flowering ceases in summer, sheer back the clumps (old flower stems and leaves) to about 4– 6 inches, this will encourage new fresh growth and renewed flowering when the cooler moist weather returns in autumn.

Companion Plants
The frosty blue of large leaved Hostas, like ‘Krossa Regal’ or ’Blue Angel’, make a lovely background to show off the spikes of pink flowers. On a smaller scale ‘Blue Cadet’ or ‘Halcyon’ make excellent partners. Where eye catching ground cover is required, they can be planted amongst drifts of Lamium ’White Nancy’. The flat habit and silvery leaves creates both color and contrast..

Try them with blue and white Campanulas and Veronicas. The white ‘Icicle’, pink ’Minuet’ and the cool blues of ’Goodness Grows' or ’Sunny Border Blue’ are great.