Heuchera
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Oreanthus
- Phonetic Spelling
- HEW-ker-ah
- Description
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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:
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- 'Amber Waves'
true amber-colored foliage that is brightest in the spring and darkens through the season
'Berry Smoothie'
- 'Canyon Belle'
clusters of bright red flowers above green foliage - 'Carnival Black Olive'
- 'Carnival Watermelon'
- 'Citronella'
- 'Delta Dawn'
- 'Electra'
- Forever® Purple 'TNHEUFP'
Deep purple, glossy foliage with ruffled edges - 'Georgia Peach'
- 'Green Spice'
green leaves with dark purple veins that turn amber in the fall.
Heuchera americana
- 'Peachberry Ice'
- 'Pink Panther'
- 'Plum Pudding'
shiny deep purple foliage with pinkish-white blooms
'Pretty Pistachio'
Purple and Red leaves
Heuchera sanguinea
Heuchera villosa
'Northern Exposure'
Richly colored mounded leaves with attractive short flower stalks 'Palace Purple'
Foliage is olive green to bronze-green to a deep purple with a dark wine-red on the leaf underside.
Chartreuse to lime-green leaves and bright pink flowers 'Southern Comfort'
Striking leaves that change color as they mature from peach to amber - 'Amber Waves'
- '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:
































- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Amber Waves'
true amber-colored foliage that is brightest in the spring and darkens through the season
'Berry Smoothie'
- 'Canyon Belle'
clusters of bright red flowers above green foliage - 'Carnival Black Olive'
- 'Carnival Watermelon'
- 'Citronella'
- 'Delta Dawn'
- 'Electra'
- Forever® Purple 'TNHEUFP'
Deep purple, glossy foliage with ruffled edges - 'Georgia Peach'
- 'Green Spice'
green leaves with dark purple veins that turn amber in the fall.
Heuchera americana
- 'Peachberry Ice'
- 'Pink Panther'
- 'Plum Pudding'
shiny deep purple foliage with pinkish-white blooms
'Pretty Pistachio'
Purple and Red leaves
Heuchera sanguinea
Heuchera villosa
'Northern Exposure'
Richly colored mounded leaves with attractive short flower stalks 'Palace Purple'
Foliage is olive green to bronze-green to a deep purple with a dark wine-red on the leaf underside.
Chartreuse to lime-green leaves and bright pink flowers 'Southern Comfort'
Striking leaves that change color as they mature from peach to amber - 'Amber Waves'
- '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:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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