That's one Amazing Looking Leaf!

Many people would think that a plant identification marker that reads "insignificant rose pink flowers" might make a gardener dismiss that plant altogether. After all, aren't beautiful blooms what we gardeners covet most? 

Of course, the opposite is true! Experienced gardeners soon realize that flowers are fleeting, but foliage is in the garden for the long haul. And attractive foliage not only provides color, it can also add interesting texture and form.

While some perennials are old friends, Heuchera and I are still getting to know one another. 

In recent years, the garden Heuchera that we know as commonly as Coral Bells has been enjoying frenzied hybridization and can now be found in an amazing array of colors. The new hybrids are often expensive and I have done my best to resist them, but their fantastic leaves never fail to catch my eye as I stroll down the isles of my favourite nursery. 

Adding to temptation, their tall stocks of bell-shaped flowers always seem to nod and wave at me, "Hello, you there! Come over here and admire us. Aren't we just so delicate and pretty? Forget your resolve not to spend too much money. We so want to go home with you!"

'Purple Petticoats' in my front garden.

Here is what I have learned about Heuchera so far. 

Soundly in their favour, is the fact that Heuchera form neat round mounds. Most bloom in spring or early summer, but there are late blooming varieties as well. 

Not all Heuchera have the same light conditions and so you really need to pay attention to the recommendations on your plant markers. (I learned this the hard way!) Some like full sun to part shade, while others prefer part shade to full shade. All varieties like a bit of afternoon shade and somewhat moist, well-drained soil enriched with some organic matter.

In my garden, I find that frost tends to heave Heuchera out of the ground over the winter. I have read various techniques for dealing this. One school of thought recommends gently pushing them back into the earth, the other recommends re-plating them. If you have any thoughts on this, I'd love to hear them.

Let's take a look at some of the varieties available, shall we?

Up close and personal with Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'

Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade' has ruffles lime colored leaves and a large mounding habit. 

Part shade to shade. 25 cm tall

 'Berry Marmalade' has large ruffles, deep-purple-black, leathery leaves with a silvery vein. Height 30 cm. Drought tolerant. Full sun to part shade. Insignificant rose pink flowers.

 Similar looking, Heuchera 'Dolce Blackcurrent' as dramatic two-tones leaf of bold purple with sterling 

silver accents. Height 35 cm. Sun to part shade.

Heuchera 'Ginger Peach' has large crimped and crinkled leaves that are a blend of apricot and rose, with bronze highlights.  Height 40-45 cm and small ivory flowers. Full sun to part shade.

The leaves of Heuchera 'Encore' start out with a deep, rose-purple color that have a light silvering on top, darker veins and reddish-purple undersides. They mature to a lighter rose, with a heavy silver overlay and smoky purple veins. White flowers June to July. Height 30 cm. Part to full shade.

Heuchera 'Marmalade' has foliage ranging in color from umber to deep sienna. Red-brown flowers. Sun to part shade. 40 cm tall. 

Heuchera 'Sashay' has cut, ruffles leaves that are green on top and burgundy underneath.  Full sun to part shade in moist well drained soil. It is an award of Garden Merit winner.

Heuchera 'Midas Touch' has ruffled and fluted peach and gold foliage. Part shade to shade.

Heuchera 'Obsidian' at the Royla Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, ON

I am going to end this post, with a few planting strategies that I admired in local gardens last summer. Idea 1: Plant a single color en masse. 

Close-up of Heuchera 'Obsidian'

The Ruttle Garden, Brampton, ON

Idea 2: Plant heuchera in a row at the front of a border.

Here the tiny white flowers of 'Lime Rickey' play off the dark burgundy of the heuchera behind it. 'Lime Rickey' has chartreuse leaves in spring that turn lemon-lime in summer.

Looking back the other way, the dark stems and rose flowers of this burgundy heurchera (apologies, I don't know the name of the burgundy variety in this case) standout beautifully on the background of vivid green of 'Lime Rickey'. 

The Spragette Garden, Brampton, ON.

Idea 3: Mix them in with other perennials near the front of a border.

Here pink astilbe (in the center) is the perfect counterpoint for the red Coral Bells and the fine flowers of the heucheras behind it.

A closer view of one of the Heuchera and a purple campanula. I think that this one is 

Heuchera 'Silver Shadows'.

The leaves of these dark burgundy heuchera (lower right corner) add drama to this late fall planting at Edwards Gardens in Toronto.

One final idea: Incorporate Heuchera in a container planting where you can appreciate those colorful leaves up close. Here Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade' is seen with the deep pink flowers of a Bleeding Heart peeking through. Lamium 'Anne Greenway' in the foreground.

 I am linking this post to Garden Walk Garden Talk's W4W. This Wednesday's word is 'Inspiration'. Color and texture are big sources of inspiration for me and heuchera is one perennial that has both in spades. Included in this post are several planting ideas that I hope will serve as inspiration for adding heuchera to your garden. 

To see other inspired posts, please click the link: Garden Walk Garden Talk