Coral bells are lovely colorful foliage plants that grow really well in shaded gardens. They are relatively easy to care for and just require regular moisture and division every 3 or 4 years to extend their life.
Originating in North America, these plants have been cultivated for many years and enthusiastic growers and plant nurseries have produced a huge array of hybrids and cultivars that you can choose from.
Here are just some of the many beautiful coral bells varieties that you can grow in a shady spot in your garden.
Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’
This Heuchera variety is both heat and humidity tolerant. It has glossy burgundy leaves that have a silvery overlay which gives them a nice sheen when the sun shines on the plant. The veins are darker colored which makes them stand out.
In late spring to early summer, the plant produces small pink flowers that are bell-shaped. The plant only reaches a height of 8” (20 centimeters) but can spread to around 24” (60 centimeters).
Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’
This lovely red variety has large blush leaves that have deep red veins. It can grow to a height of 18 inches (45 cm) and a width of around 20 inches (50 cm). Small bell-shaped flowers appear in late spring. These are creamy white in color and are ideal as cut flowers.
Once established, this plant is relatively drought tolerant and attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds when in bloom.
Heuchera ‘Cappuccino’
One of many interesting heuchera varieties, this cultivar has bronze-colored leaves that are mottled with specks of white. The plant only grows to a height of around 8 inches (20 cm) and a spread of around 17 inches (43 cm).
It produces the typical creamy-white bell-shaped flowers on tall wiry stems that can reach a height of around 25 inches (63 cm).
Heuchera ‘Caramel’
This cultivar will add some lovely golden color to shady spots in your garden. The leaves are a gorgeous golden caramel color. It only grows to a height of around 12 inches (30 cm) with a spread of around 24 inches (60 cm).
Lovely creamy-pink flowers appear in early summer on tall and slender stems. This plant will thrive in dry shade and is also salt-tolerant. This makes it ideal for coastal gardens.
Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’
This highly attractive cultivar has heavily lobed leaves that are a coppery-pink color. The leaves look quite ruffled and mature to a deeper chocolate color with dark red undersides.
The plant produces small flowers that are purplish in color. These appear on tall stems that can reach a height of around 30” (75 centimeters).
The plant itself is quite tall for a Heuchera and can reach a height of 36 inches (90 cm) and a spread of 24 inches (60 cm).
Heuchera ‘Citronelle’
This coral bells variety is a little different from the rest in that it produces pale lemony yellow leaves with silvery undersides. It looks quite delicate when planted among the more strikingly colored varieties.
The flowers are small and creamy-white. This compact variety only reaches a height of 12 inches (30 cm) and a spread of around 24 inches (60 cm).
Heuchera ‘Frosted Violet’
You’ll love the variable leaves on this plant. They range in color from pink to dark purple with deep green veins. The color of the leaves intensifies as the weather gets cooler.
This cultivar will reach a height of 24 inches (60 cm) and a width of 36 inches (75 cm). The leaves are covered in fine hairs and these glisten in the sun which gives them a frosted appearance.
The plant produces masses of small pale pink flowers on tall stems in late spring. It will even grow in full sun but is also happy in a shady position.
Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’
You’ll love the unusual color of the leaves on this cultivar as they will change during the season. They start out being peach-orange in spring with dark pinky orange veins. They also have a silvery sheen. During summer, the leaves turn a darker rose color and finally turn almost purple in the fall.
The flowers are somewhat insignificant against the brilliant foliage. They are bell-shaped and creamy-white. This gorgeous variety of Heuchera will grow to a height of 36” (90 centimeters) and a width of 24” (60 centimeters).
This is also one of the hardiest species as it will grow in full sun as well as full or part shade. It’s also relatively drought and salt-tolerant.
Heuchera ‘Ginger Ale’
You’ll find the soft ginger-colored leaves of this Heuchera variety outstanding. The leaves are heavily lobed and rounded. The plant can reach a height of 24” (60 cm) and a spread of 12” (30 cm). It prefers to grow in full or partial shade.
The bell-shaped flowers appear on slender stems that are almost red in color with the flowers being either pink, yellow, or ginger in color. This is one of the varieties that can tolerate humid conditions.
Heuchera ‘Green Spice’
This variety has lovely bright green leaves with chocolate-colored veins. The lobed leaves also have a darker green or gray edging. It can grow to a height of around 36” (90 cm) and a width of 18” (45 cm).
The small bell-shaped flowers grow on slender stems and are creamy-white in color. This plant is best grown in full or partial shade and is relatively drought-tolerant.
Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’
This is another delicate-looking variety with lime-green leaves that are gently frilled on the edges. The panicles of flowers appear in late spring to early summer and are pure white in color.
This lovely bright plant will grow to a height and width of around 24 inches (60 centimeters). It prefers to grow in full or partial shade.
Heuchera ‘Marmalade’
This stunning variety will delight you with its many colors. The leaves can range in color from amber to dark red with striking hot pink undersides. The small bell-shaped flowers are reddish-brown and rise above the plant on long stems.
This plant can easily reach a height and spread of around 24 inches (60 centimeters). It can live happily in full sun or partial shade.
Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’
This unusual variety has delightful dark purple lobed leaves that are speckled with shiny pink spots in varying sizes.
As the season progresses, these striking spots will get larger and turn to cream. This plant will grow to a height and width of around 24 inches (60 centimeters).
The flowers start to appear in late spring and grow on long purple stems. They are bell-shaped and creamy-white in color. This is another variety that is happy to grow in full sun or partial shade.
Heuchera ‘Mint Julep’
This variety might not be quite as striking as some of the others but it’s nice to grow among more colorful cultivars to add some contrast. The leaves are lime green in color with olive green veins. From a distance, they look very similar to geranium leaves.
One interesting thing about this cultivar is that it only grows to a height of around 8 inches (20 cm). As the temperature starts to drop at the end of fall, the veins in the leaves turn a bright crimson color.
The bell-shaped flowers are creamy-white in color. This variety is also better grown in full or partial shade as too much sun will cause the color of the leaves to bleach.
Heuchera ‘ Northern Exposure’
This cultivar has deep gray to purple leaves with lighter red undersides. The prominent veins are a kind of silvery-gray color. The flowers are generally creamy-white with a hint of pale pink.
This plant can reach a height of 24 inches (60 cm) and a spread of 21 inches (53 centimeters). It grows best in a shaded spot in the garden.
Heuchera ‘Obsidian’
This award-winning variety is simply stunning with its dark purple to almost black heart-shaped leaves. Panicles of creamy-white flowers appear in early to mid-summer. The plant grows to a height and width of 24 inches (60 centimeters).
This is a particularly hardy variety and has good resistance to powdery mildew. It prefers to grow in partial shade and needs well-drained soil.
Heuchera ‘Paris’
You have to love this variety for its bright pink flowers that tower above the dark green foliage.
This provides a striking contrast and is sure to draw the eye if you grow this in your garden. The plant only grows to a height of 12 inches (30cm) and a width of 24 inches (60 cm).
However, the flowers grow on tall stems that can reach a height of 14 inches (35 centimeters) above the lovely green foliage. Each flower stem will bloom continuously for up to two months.
Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’
This variety has the most gorgeous lobed leaves in a bright peach color with shades of red. This cultivar won first place in 2008 at the Royal Dutch Flower Bulb Association show. It produces panicles of bell-shaped flowers that are creamy-white in color and grow on long slender purple stems.
The plant can reach a height of around 24 inches (60 cm) and a width of around 24 inches (60 cm) as well. It has average water needs and will grow in full sun as well as partial shade.
Heuchera ‘Pewter Moon’
This cultivar sports quite a variety of colors in its foliage. From above, the leaves are a silvery-pewter color with dark pewter veins. But, if you look at the undersides of the leaves, they are a rich burgundy color. This makes for a lovely contrast in the garden.
The small bell-shaped flowers grow on tall stems and are pale pink in color. This variety is best grown in full or part shade. It can reach a height of 29 inches (75 cm) and a width of around 24 inches (60 cm).
Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’
This variety is quite striking with its bright cinnamon-colored leaves that can also exhibit shades of peach and pink. The leaves are huge and can be up to 9 inches (22 centimeters) wide. You’ll also love how the leaves change color with the seasons.
This plant will easily grow to a height and width of 24 inches (60 cm). Like most coral bells, it has small creamy-white flowers that grow on a slender stem.
Heuchera ‘Spellbound’
This attractive variety has the most amazing foliage. The leaves are quite large and have ruffled edges. Their color can vary depending on the season. In the spring and fall, the leaves are purple in color with darker, prominent veins.
But, at other times, the leaves can appear almost silver with deep purple veins. This silver coloring is more prominent when the plants are grown in full shade.
The bell-shaped flowers appear in late spring on tall burgundy stems. They are the standard creamy-white in color. The plant can reach a height and width of 24 inches (60 centimeters).
Heuchera ‘ Venus’
This is another lovely silvery variety but this time the leaves have deep green veins. Plus, the undersides of the leaves are an olive-green color.
The plant only reaches a height of around 10 inches (25 cm) with a spread of around 12 inches (30 cm).
The small flowers are creamy-white and bell-shaped and they appear on slender stems that can grow to a height of around 15 inches (37 centimeters). This variety can be grown either in full sun or part shade.
Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’
This is another award-winning variety that is commonly grown by gardeners. It has interesting star-shaped leaves that can range in color from olive green to a rich deep purple. It too produces small creamy-white flowers that are bell-shaped.
This is only a low-growing variety that will reach a height of 12 inches (30 cm) and a width of 24 inches (60 cm). This coral bells variety prefers to grow in part shade and likes moist, well-drained soil.
See more: How to grow coral bells
*References
*image by YK1500/depositphotos
