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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Carex buchananii Carex buchananii
Heuchera americana Heuchera americana
Schizachyrium scoparium Schizachyrium scoparius

Heuchera 'Northern Exposure'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
HEW-ker-a
Description

Coral Bells Northern Exposure has richly colored mounded leaves with attractive short flower stalks.  One of the hardiest heucheras bred to grow as low as zone 3.  Take care not to bury the crown when planting as this can cause failure. It grows well in shade and tolerates sun along as provided adequate moisture but prefers afternoon shade.  It works well in mass plantings along borders or edges, in container plants or placed among plants with green leaves as an accent.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Protect from harsh sun to prevent leaf scorch.   Do not overwater plants as this can cause fungal problems. Good rust resistance.

More information on Heuchera.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden A Sampling of Shade Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Northern Exposure'
  • ‘Northern Exposure Amber’
    Amber leaves yellow and green flowers
  • ‘Northern Exposure Lime’
    Lime green leaves rust-red flowers
  • ‘Northern Exposure Red’
    Long season red leaves, yellow-green flowers
  • 'Northern Exposure Silver'
    Purplish leaves
'Northern Exposure', ‘Northern Exposure Amber’, ‘Northern Exposure Lime’, ‘Northern Exposure Red’, 'Northern Exposure Silver'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#hardy#shade garden#showy leaves#fall interest#cottage garden#mass planting#disease resistant#edging#deer resistant#rock garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#bird friendly#container plant#wildlife friendly#accent
 
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver'
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver' as seen at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum Glenn Wagstaff CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver'
Detail on the flowers of Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver' growing at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum Glenn Wagstaff CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver'
Detail on the leaves of Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver' growing at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Flower
Flower Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0
Form
Form 'Northern Exposure' Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0
Leaves - April Wake Co., NC
Leaves - April Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0
Form - April - Wake Co., NC
Form - April - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Northern Exposure'
  • ‘Northern Exposure Amber’
    Amber leaves yellow and green flowers
  • ‘Northern Exposure Lime’
    Lime green leaves rust-red flowers
  • ‘Northern Exposure Red’
    Long season red leaves, yellow-green flowers
  • 'Northern Exposure Silver'
    Purplish leaves
'Northern Exposure', ‘Northern Exposure Amber’, ‘Northern Exposure Lime’, ‘Northern Exposure Red’, 'Northern Exposure Silver'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#hardy#shade garden#showy leaves#fall interest#cottage garden#mass planting#disease resistant#edging#deer resistant#rock garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#bird friendly#container plant#wildlife friendly#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heuchera
    Family:
    Saxifragaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds and songbirds.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Rust
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Spikes of bell-shaped flowers in early to mid-summer. Color varies as to cultivar from pinks, reds to yellow-greens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Rhomboidal
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dense round to heart-shaped and lobed leaves do not require pinching to maintain mounding habit. Leaves show interest in the fall, spring and summer. Leaf color varies as to cultivar. They range from amber to deep purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairy reddish-purplish stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits