Heuchera: planting, types, and use in landscape design

Landscape designers are increasingly using heuchera as a key garden ornamental. This multifaceted flower amazes with the beauty and variegation of its foliage. Large leaves on dense, upright stems are painted in a wide variety of colors, sometimes even black with elegant white fringes along the edges. And the delicate leaves seem to change color endlessly, tirelessly captivating the viewer.

Using Heuchera in Landscape Design

Heuchera is a versatile plant. With just a few young seedlings of this amazing flower, you can transform your garden beyond recognition. Decorators love the compact, low-growing heuchera bushes for their beautiful foliage, which changes color throughout the season, and their large paniculate inflorescences in soft pink and red hues.

The value of culture:

• Heuchera retains its decorative properties for a long time;
• variegated bushes create bright “colorful” spots on the monolithic background of the garden;
• the ability to choose “your” heuchera thanks to the huge variety of varieties and species;
• the crop can be grown both in open ground and in containers and greenhouses;
• the plant is unpretentious, frost-resistant, and can grow in the shade;
• very easy to propagate;
• fits harmoniously into any flower arrangement, looks great as a solitaire;
• It is not afraid of moisture or drought, so it can be planted near water bodies, on hills, and in rock gardens.

Modern trends in garden decoration gravitate toward voluminous, yet consistent in color and texture, mixed borders, which should not only enhance the garden's beauty but also define its style. A fashion-forward gardener always meticulously selects the right flora for their plot. And while many plants leave some doubt, the heuchera is the perfect element that will fit into any composition, be it Provençal, rustic, Scandinavian, or any other style. Landscape design offers many ideas for this plant.

Ideas for decorating a garden with heuchera:

1. Solitary planting. Heucheras are most often used to brighten up dull, empty spaces in a garden. Variegated shrubs look very impressive as solitary plants. They can brighten up even the most secluded corner of the garden, and their lush, dense crowns can also conceal imperfections in the landscape. The bush will retain its vibrant appearance throughout the year, changing foliage from green to bronze, then from bronze to purple, and so on.
2. A multi-group flower arrangement. Large front gardens and flowerbeds typically feature up to a dozen or more species of flowering plants. Each one differs in texture, color, growth, and blooming period. To balance the arrangement, heuchera is often used as a "half-tone." This means it serves as a smooth transition from one flower to the next. And thanks to the shrub's continuous appeal, heuchera will grace the flowerbed during the off-season between other flowers.
3. Alpine Garden. An artificial rock garden displays the beauty of heuchera like no other, especially when combined with other flowering plants. The lacy, large foliage in a variety of shades, coupled with long stems adorned with loose inflorescences, perfectly complements the stones, creating a pristine look for the stone structure.
4. Massive. Heuchera is often seen in plantings of larger plants. In large-scale compositions, it occupies the bottom row, concealing the long trunks and stems of taller plants.
5. Parterre. Heuchera looks wonderful in a formal flowerbed among flowers of the same height. It is placed at the entrance to a park, garden, or dacha, or near a porch. Heuchera is chosen for these purposes primarily because of its ability to maintain its beautiful appearance year-round, which is the key to such flowerbeds—to create a beautiful entrance.
6. Borders and paths. Heuchera looks striking and incredibly stylish when planted along paths. The bushes lining the paths create a unique color scheme with their lush texture, especially during flowering.
7. Pots and containers. Many Heuchera varieties are suitable for growing in large pots and containers, which can be used to decorate gazebos, terraces, verandas, or simply placed in the garden. Caring for these plants is easy, as all they require is regular watering and timely fertilizing.
8. In coastal design. Moisture-loving heucheras are also planted along backwaters, lakes, and artificial reservoirs. Large bushes, planted singly or in clusters, create a magical effect in the coastal area, adding an exotic touch to the reservoir and surrounding area.

Heuchera is a very undemanding plant. It thrives alongside its own kind or alongside other flowering plants without crowding them or becoming overgrown. Its leaves can transform the appearance of a garden several times a year, making it colorful and refreshed each time.

Heuchera in combination with other flowers

Surprisingly, this plant has the unique ability to blend harmoniously with absolutely any flowers and plants. The only thing that can hamper a gardener's success is the heuchera's rapidly growing roots, which require ample space and nutrition. If grown near trees or tall shrubs, the heuchera won't be able to compete for nutrients and will therefore grow poorly.

Heuchera fits especially well in monochromatic flower beds of similar height to our princess. Its vibrant crown will brighten the pallor of astilbe, brunnera, veronica, daylilies, and chrysanthemums. It can even coexist with other shrubs, such as hostas and ferns. It pairs well with irises, geraniums, and primroses.

And, conversely, where there are too many floral colors, you can plant monochromatic varieties of heuchera, which will moderate the ardor of the flowerbed, which is about to turn into an untidy flowerbed.

But the plant looks especially wonderful in the company of its own kind. A colorful, ever-beautiful flowerbed can be created from various heuchera varieties, choosing beautiful color combinations of leaves and flowers.

Choosing a landing site

Heuchera isn't particularly demanding when it comes to growing conditions. However, it's important to keep in mind that it blooms better in full sun, while its foliage develops more vibrant colors in shade. Therefore, when choosing a planting location, it's important to prioritize what you want from the plant—abundant blooms or vibrant, colorful foliage. Ideally, heucheras should be planted in a location with morning sun and afternoon partial shade. This will reduce the need for frequent watering.

The specific variety being cultivated should be considered when choosing a location for the crop. For example, mountain heucheras are less demanding regarding soil composition, environmental conditions, and temperature. They can even grow on sandstone and survive multi-day droughts. Only the leaf color will change, but unfavorable climatic conditions will not affect the plant's development. Forest varieties are recommended for growing in more fertile, moist soils. On hot days, they require more water and shade. Red-leaved and bicolor varieties are best grown in full sun, while dark-leaved varieties are best grown in partial shade away from other tall shrubs.

All species absolutely cannot tolerate acidic soil or water retention at the roots. Therefore, if the soil in the area is unsuitable in terms of pH, it should be limed and drained first.

Types of Heuchera

The plant's family tree is not extensive, comprising approximately 400 species and cultivars, differing in habitat, bush height, leaf texture and color, flower shape, and flowering time. All heuchera species are divided into forest and mountain varieties, as in Mexico and the mountainous regions of the Americas, they are found in forests and sparse woodlands. Only a tenth of all known varieties are used in landscape design.

Heucheras are divided into two types:

1. Ornamental foliage plants are plants with large, variegated leaves.
2. Ornamental flowering shrubs are shrubs whose main decoration is flowers growing on long peduncles.

Heuchera sanguinea (bloody red heuchera)

It was the blood-red heuchera that became the basis for dozens of varieties used in garden decoration today. The mountain variety of heuchera was discovered in Mexico. Improved varieties have more robust flower stalks and branched inflorescences.

A distinctive feature of all varieties of blood-red heucheras are their stiff, dense green leaves (silver, cream, and white foliage are less common). The leaf blades are round with pointed edges. Small red or crimson flowers, gathered in panicles, add a special charm to the look. Individually, the flowers resemble bells in structure. It seems as if a breeze would blow and they would ring throughout the entire area.

This plant is a low-growing shrub. Its maximum height barely reaches 40 centimeters. Its erect flower stalks, laden with numerous flowers, emerge from the dense green canopy, creating a striking appearance. Native to the American foothills, heuchera has strong resistance to diseases and pests. It tolerates both cold and summer heat. It thrives in shade and in a well-ventilated area. It's even undemanding regarding soil composition. The key is well-drained soil, as heuchera does not tolerate excessive moisture.

This species is represented by the following varieties: Alba, Mone, Robusta, Hercules, Splendens, Snowstorm, Variegata, Splish-Splash, as well as the Bressingham Hybrids variety group.

Heuchera americana

Another magnificent representative of the Heuchera genus. In the wild, it grows in the foothills of North America. It can also be found in undergrowth near ponds and lakes. The plant produces mediocre flowers: pale yellow, sparse, and unsightly. They bloom in early June and last almost until the end of summer, emitting a wonderful fragrance throughout the area.

The foliage is a completely different matter—it's the Americana's main attraction. Long, upright stems are adorned with large, serrated, round-heart-shaped leaves. The base of the leaf blade is green. The standard color is broken up by whitish streaks and spots, and purple veins. The undersides of the leaves are a deep lilac. There are cultivars with green leaves adorned with a red border.

The most spectacular representative of this species is the Green Spice variety.

Heuchera villosa

This species is not often used in landscape design, but it still deserves the attention of decorators for its numerous advantages. Hairy heucheras reach a maximum height of 45 centimeters. The leaves are large, maple-shaped, and greenish-bronze in color. The petioles are short and pubescent. The hairy peduncles rise high above the green crown, forming voluminous paniculate inflorescences containing numerous pale-faced flowers of pale pink and greenish hues.

A striking variety of hairy heuchera is the Bronze Wave cultivar. This plant is characterized by the beauty of its leaves: large, corrugated, slightly hairy, and colored in bronze, coral, beige, and orange. The shrub blooms from June to August with delicate cream-colored flowers.

Hairy shrubs prefer moist, fertile soils and shaded areas. Based on these "easy-to-grow" characteristics, scientists have developed varieties suitable for growing in our country. While they may differ in foliage color (most often purple, light green, or apricot), they are quite easy to maintain in your garden, as they require virtually no maintenance.

Heuchera cylindrica

The mountain heuchera species received its name for its tall flower stalks (up to 90 centimeters) and large flowers, which form on long stems that are arranged in cylinders. The inflorescences are dense, thick, and numerous on a single bush. The flowers sit on short stalks and have petals that range in color from pink to yellow-green, depending on the variety. The leaves are rounded, heart-shaped, and are most often green with dark veins and a silvery sheen.

Cylindrical varieties of this plant prefer loose, light, fertile soils and medium light. The most popular varieties of cylindrical heuchera are Hyperion and Greenfinch.

Heuchera hybrida

This variety of heuchera was developed through multiple crosses of American, small-flowered, and hairy varieties. Their work has resulted in varieties with longer and more abundant flowering (up to three months). The plant forms a small bush 50-60 centimeters tall. The leaves of hybrid varieties are larger, and come in a variety of colors (usually green) and textures, with or without patterns, textured or plain, corrugated or semicircular.

During flowering, small bell-shaped flowers of pinkish shades appear on the stems.

A type of hybrid heuchera is called "quaking heuchera." Its drawbacks include frequent shedding of flowers in windy conditions. The best varieties include Cappuccino, Ruby, ValeCancan, and Beauty Color. The most famous variety is Can-Can, which has won numerous exhibition awards thanks to its corrugated burgundy leaves with silvery spots.

Heuchera grossulariifolia

A very popular variety in Russia. Low-growing bushes are covered with small, wedge-shaped leaves up to 7-8 centimeters in diameter, from which long, 30-40-centimeter-long flower stalks emerge. In midsummer, their tips are adorned with small inflorescences of large white flowers.

All varieties of gooseberry-leaved heucheras possess remarkable winter hardiness and strong disease resistance. These qualities make them a favorite among Russian gardeners living in the central part of the country.

Heuchera micrantha

This plant variety is considered the most spectacular of the crop. Its small maple leaves come in a wide variety of colors, giving the bush a colorful, playful appearance. Some varieties are bronze, others purple, and still others have a silvery sheen. The flowers, like the leaves, are small and velvety. They are typically creamy or pink in color with orange anthers. The plants thrive in moist, organically enriched soil.

Palace Purple is a popular variety of small-flowered heuchera. It's easy-to-grow and winter-hardy. It grows well in slightly acidic soil.

Caramel

This variety of heuchera received its “sweet” name due to the caramel color of its foliage and its voluminous texture, which seems like you could bite into it and it would taste sweet.

Caramel is a very common cultivar. It is popular for its delicate, carved leaves, which are red when young and develop golden, amber tones as they mature. The redness remains only on the underside of the leaf blade. During flowering, small, cream-colored flowers appear on the stems.

The bush grows and develops very quickly, capable of developing a voluminous, dense crown in a single summer. It looks especially beautiful in a flowerbed after rain, when the foliage is covered with glittering droplets of water, reminiscent of melted sugar. Caramel heuchera is frost-resistant. Garden decorators often use this variety to create colorful, multi-textured arrangements.

Marmalade

In summer, the bush resembles autumn, with yellow-green foliage, as if the plant is preparing to shed its old leaves. This combination of colors lends a romantic and melancholy feel to the garden.

By late summer, the foliage gradually transforms into a fiery cap, topped with numerous small, mediocre, pale pink inflorescences. The plant blooms in early summer.

The foliage changes color from spring to autumn and remains very decorative all this time.

Heuchera Cherry Cola

An incredibly delicate, low-growing plant that can be planted along the bottom row of a flowerbed, along borders, or grown in hanging baskets. The bush barely reaches 20 centimeters in height. It grows very slowly, gracefully, unhurriedly, inviting you to admire its graceful form for as long as possible. This variety is characterized by rounded, wavy foliage, which changes its matte color from orange or red to a glossy yellow or green with age. Red or salmon-colored flowers extend along the brown stems.

Purple Castle

This variety belongs to the group of small-flowered heucheras. It was bred in 1980. Its structure is similar to ivy. Plants of this variety have the ability to reproduce quickly due to their numerous branched rhizomes. Because of this characteristic, Purple Castle is popular in border arrangements and along paths.

These textured bushes look wonderful in rock gardens. Numerous small buds are gathered into panicle-shaped inflorescences. They are predominantly beige, which contrasts beautifully with the purple leaves. The unique coloring of the foliage (purple, burgundy, violet) makes heucheras a must-have in any flowerbed. Their presence subtly softens the vibrancy of other flowers. Purple Castle looks beautiful planted alone or in combination with other plants, such as geraniums and hostas.

Black bird

A very striking variety. The crown of the shrub grows 50-60 centimeters tall. Long, stiff flower stalks rise another 20-30 centimeters above it. The foliage is stiff, rough, and pentagonal. The true highlight of this variety is its color—a dark burgundy, almost black. The resemblance of the large dark leaves to a raven's wing gave the variety its name. The "blackness" is broken up by voluminous, loose, cream-colored inflorescences.

Blackbird plants are ideal for growing along paths.

Conclusion

The colorful and ever-changing heuchera will inevitably become a favorite in any garden, park, or terrace. No matter which variety you choose, this plant will be perfect for your home, filling it with a pleasant honey aroma and enriching the area with a riot of color. No other flower in landscape design can surprise with such a wide variety of colors and unusual leaf shapes.