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Heuchera

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Oreanthus
Phonetic Spelling
HEW-ker-ah
Description

Alumroot is a genus of nearly 50 species of herbaceous perennial groundcovers native to North America (including North Carolina) and the Russian Far East. They are members of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). The genus name, Heuchera, honors Austrian-born Johann Heinrich von Heucher, who was a medical botanist and professor of medicine in Wittenberg, Germany, in the 17th century.

Alumroot can be grown in the sun or shade, depending on the selected varieties. Many varieties develop their best leaf color in full sun. They prefer a slightly acidic pH and moist, well-drained soils that have been amended with organic matter, such as leaf compost or pine bark fines. They are best planted in the late fall or early spring. They are usually short-lived perennials unless they are divided regularly, about every 3 or 4 years. Deadheading the spent flowers will increase bloom production during the summer and into the fall. If the leaves appear ragged, remove all the foliage to stimulate the production of new leaves. Most plants in this genus prefer relatively dry air, but hairy alumroot (Heuchera villosa) will thrive in heat and high humidity. Mulching will protect the plant's roots in the winter months. 

Depending on the climate, alumroot is an evergreen to semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial groundcover that is very popular because of its colorful foliage, which comes in a variety of colors, including purple, orange, brown and yellow. Alumroots are primarily grown for their foliage, but many of the western North American species tend to have attractive pink or red flowers that are favored by butterflies and bees. They also attract hummingbirds, both in their native habitat and in gardens. Flowering usually begins in June and continues throughout the growing season. The genus xHuecherella is a hybrid between Heuchera and Tiarella.

Alumroots make a wonderful addition to the garden and can be used as edgings in perennial borders and ground-covering group plantings. The lighter-colored varieties stand out nicely in a lightly shaded garden. They work well in containers, too. They are appropriate for shade gardens, cottage gardens, children’s gardens, butterfly and pollinator gardens, and even formal English gardens. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are few insect or disease problems, but leaf scorch can be a problem for plants grown in full sun during hot, dry conditions. Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot can occur. Potential insects include weevils, Japanese Beetles, mealybugs, and foliar nematodes.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods Plant Walls and Hedges Durham County Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden Container Gardens Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Muscadine Bed Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden Fairy Gardens Pitt County Arboretum Containers
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Amber Waves', 'Berry Smoothie', 'Canyon Belle', 'Carnival Black Olive', 'Carnival Watermelon', 'Citronella', 'Delta Dawn', 'Electra', Forever® Purple 'TNHEUFP', 'Georgia Peach', 'Green Spice', Heuchera americana, Heuchera sanguinea, Heuchera villosa, 'Northern Exposure', 'Palace Purple', 'Peachberry Ice', 'Pink Panther', 'Plum Pudding', 'Pretty Pistachio', 'Southern Comfort'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#bronze#semi-evergreen#purple leaves#native perennial#rabbit resistant#moist soil#mounding#NC native#well-drained soil#deer resistant#native garden#border planting#acidic soils tolerant#clumping#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#butterfly garden#pollinator garden#landscape plant sleuths course#buncombe county sun and shade garden#th-sight#woodland#cpp#HS304#hortcontest
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Amber Waves', 'Berry Smoothie', 'Canyon Belle', 'Carnival Black Olive', 'Carnival Watermelon', 'Citronella', 'Delta Dawn', 'Electra', Forever® Purple 'TNHEUFP', 'Georgia Peach', 'Green Spice', Heuchera americana, Heuchera sanguinea, Heuchera villosa, 'Northern Exposure', 'Palace Purple', 'Peachberry Ice', 'Pink Panther', 'Plum Pudding', 'Pretty Pistachio', 'Southern Comfort'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#bronze#semi-evergreen#purple leaves#native perennial#rabbit resistant#moist soil#mounding#NC native#well-drained soil#deer resistant#native garden#border planting#acidic soils tolerant#clumping#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#butterfly garden#pollinator garden#landscape plant sleuths course#buncombe county sun and shade garden#th-sight#woodland#cpp#HS304#hortcontest
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heuchera
    Family:
    Saxifragaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the plant medicinally.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Russia Far East and North America
    Distribution:
    Native: Canada--Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territory, Ontario, and Saskatchewan; Khabarovsk; Mexico--Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, and Mexico Southwest; Primorye; United States--AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK OR, PA SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY. Introduced: Austria.
    Wildlife Value:
    Tannin in the leaves is unappetizing to deer and rabbits.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit capsule has two beaks, and the seeds are dark brown to black, ovoid, spiny, and straight on one side and convex on the other.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Insignificant
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Most flowers are bell-shaped and appear in clusters of various colors and sizes depending on the species or cultivar. Some species have small, greenish, insignificant flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Papery
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Orbicular
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are palmately lobed of various colors and sizes with long stems depending on the species or cultivar.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The flowering stems are erect, leafless, reddish to green, and often they will have fine hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Near Septic
    Patio
    Pond
    Pool/Hardscape
    Riparian
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Vertical Spaces
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits