This cross between coral bells and foamflower combines the best of both plants.
Foamy bells is a cross betweencoral bells(Heuchera)andfoamflower(Tiarella).
The hues include bronze, lime green, dark green, purple, and orange-pink.
Illustration by Gary Palmer.
The speckled, mottled, and multicolor rounded leaves lend this low-growing plant enchanting color and texture.
Wherever you plant foamy bells, they are best planted in small groups.
Planted in a rock garden, they soften angular lines and hard textures.
Illustration by Gary Palmer.
Along a walkway or a patio, they will create a fringelike foliage border.
Because of their compact size, they are also a good choice for pots and window boxes.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the pot and about the same depth.
Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball.
Gently tamp down the soil.
Water plants deeply after planting and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.
Space the plants 16 to 20 inches apart.
Light
Generally foamy bells should be grown in partial shade.
The amount of sun they can tolerate depends on the location.
The amount of light foamy bells can tolerate also depends on the foliage.
Varieties with darker foliage can withstand more sunlight than varieties with vivid light colors.
Too much sunlight leads to leaf scorch.
The higher the sun exposure, the more water the plants need.
Dry sites result in leaf scorch.
Blanket the ground around plants with a 2-inch-thick layer of shredded bark mulch to prevent soil moisture loss.
This can be prevented by adding a thick layer of mulch for winter protection.
The plants are fairly tolerant of heat and humidity.
In the early spring, remove all dead foliage to make room for new growth.
Potting and Repotting Foamy Bells
Foamy bells make good container plants.
Use a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with a combination of well-draining potting mix and compost.
Keep in mind that container plants require more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape.
While foamy bells are winter-hardy to Zone 4, containers expose their roots to the cold.
Pests and Problems
Foamy bells have no serious pest or disease problems.
Some varieties are prone to get rust, a fungus.
Root weevils are potential pests.
Frost heave is a common issue with foamy bells.
Overwatering can lead to root rot.
As foamy bells is a hybrid, propagating it from seed wont produce plants true to jot down.
Divide the plants in the spring to give them a full growing season to get established.
Lift the mature plant with all its roots out of the ground with a shovel.
Remove small, healthy-looking sections from around the edges of the clump.
Discard the woody core of the clump.
Pink Revolution
In the late spring, this variety is covered with masses of bubblegum pink blooms.
The leaves are bright green with burgundy veins.
Pink Fizz
Both the foliage and the flowers of this variety are eye-catching.
The flowers are small and white.
The rough basal leaves, spotted or plain, are handsome through the season and into winter.
Provide high-humus soil that retains moisture.
Lungwort tolerates dry conditions.
In the spring, the 1-foot plants have fragrant, lavender-purple flowers.Woodland phloxspreads to form mats of foliage.
To assemble this garden, start from the back edge and move forward.
Elegant bleeding hearts and bold hostas create the first layer, followed by hellebores and foamy bells.
By dividing them, you ensure a constant presence of these striking perennials in your yard.
Wait until spring to remove the old foliage.
