Learn to grow low-maintenance coral bells, a shade-loving perennial that adds color to your garden.
Coral bells(Heuchera spp.)
used to come in a few drab colors, with small and insignificant blooms.
Credit: Bob Stefko Photography Inc
And, for all that visual drama, coral bells are extremely low-maintenance.
The perennial is hardy inZones 3-9and adaptable to either ground or container planting.
Remove the plant and loosen the roots a bit from the root ball before placing it in the hole.
Credit: Bob Stefko Photography Inc
Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, andwater well.
The adaptable perennials alsothrive in containers, which is a great option if you’re limited on garden space.
Check the requirements of specific types before planting infull sun.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Heavyclay soilsand other soils that dont drain well may cause the plant to suffer from issues with root rot.
Coral bells can tolerate a bit of drought, but their shallow roots need more water in sunny spots.
Keep soil consistently moist but not wet.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Water daily the first week after planting and every few days for the rest of the season.
Temperature and Humidity
Coral bells temperature requirements and preferences vary from pop in to pop in.
Lower temperatures cause them to go dormant.
Credit: Justin Hancock
If it is extremely cold in your area, mulch will prevent coral bells from heaving during winter.
Fertilizer
Dont fertilize coral bells much because it keeps the plants from flowering.
Pruning
To keep coral bells blooming even longer,deadhead the spent ones.
Credit: Justin Hancock
This may encourage the plants to produce a second wave of flowers.
Some varieties will also bloom sporadically throughout the growing season.
Potting and Repotting Coralbells
Keep potted coral bells outdoors.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Soggy soil can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.
Discard the old crown and plant the offshoots in new containers with fresh soil.
Pests and Problems
Coral bells are susceptible to black vine weevils and strawberry root weevils.
Credit: Mark Kane
If you see the larvae, destroy them, oruse neem oilto rid your plant of these pests.
Fungal infections may includepowdery mildew and bacterial leaf spot, among others.
Separate the clumps and replant them, barely covering the roots with soil.
Credit: Hetherington & Associates
Foliage emerges a soft peach color and fades to rich amber.
Too much sun can burn these leaves, so double-check they have at least part shade.
In spring, it produces loose spires of small pink flowers.
Credit: David McDonald
It grows 16 inches tall and 14 inches wide.
Dainty spires of white flowers rise above the foliage.
These may fade out to greenish bronze in full summer sun.
Credit: Karlis Grants
Panicles of tiny flowers bloom aloft in spring.
They form 12-inch mounds, above which tiny white flowers bloom in spring.
The rough basal leaves, spotted or plain, look good through the season and into winter.
Credit: Julie Maris Semarco
Lungworts are workhorses when placed close as a weed-discouraging groundcover or in borders as edgings or bright accent plants.
Provide high-humus soil that retains moisture.
Although lungwort tolerates dry conditions, be alert for mildew.
Credit: Lynn Karlin Photography
Zones 2-8
Astilbe
Astilbe bringsa feathery noteto moist, shady landscapes.
In drier areas, the leaves will scorch in full sun.
It spreads slowly over time when well-situated.
Credit: Mavis Augustine Torke
Leaves can be puckered, wavy-edged, or variegated.
Colors can be white or green, blue-gray, chartreuse, or emerald-edged.
This tough, shade-loving perennial blooms in summer with white or purplish lavender funnel-shaped or flared flowers.
Some are intensely fragrant.
Hostas are a favorite of slugs and deer.
Zones 3-9
Japanese Painted Ferns
Japanese painted fernshave unique silver and burgundy markings.
Closely related to one another, Japanese painted ferns and lady ferns are sometimes crossed to create attractive hybrids.
Unlike most ferns, these toughies tolerate dry soil.
They tolerate some sun if they have ample water.
Varieties that offer showy blooms and fancy foliage aremuch appreciated by hummingbirds.
Bees and butterflies are also drawn to their bright, colorful flowers.
Whether its improving their heat and humidity tolerance or winter hardiness, advancements continue.
Some older varieties lacked the vigor of the newer ones.
