Palace Purple Alumroot Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple'
- Heuchera micrantha var. diversifolia 'Palace Purple'
- Phonetic Spelling
- HEW-ker-ah
- Description
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Heuchera 'Palace Purple' is one of the first of the coral bells hybridized from naturally purple-leafed native species and was chosen 1991 Perennial Plant of the Year. It is grown for the beautiful foliage which may range in color from olive green to bronze-green to a deep purple with a dark wine-red on the leaf underside. The tiny pinkish-white bell-shaped flowers are less significant but are a dramatic contrast against the darker leaves.
'Palace Purple' should be planted with the crown at or above the soil surface in organically rich soil, in the sun or partial shade. In hot summer areas, a part-shade location will help to prevent the leaf color from fading. Planting in full sun will require extra care in watering as the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Clumps can be divided in spring every 3 to 4 years.
The genus name Heuchera is in honor of the 18th-century German physician, botanist, and medicinal plant expert Johann von Heucher.
Learn more about Heuchera spp.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Deck Garden Rock Wall Garden at Scott Arboretum Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co. Sun and Shade Demonstration Garden, Buncombe County Functional Foundation Landscape
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heuchera
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Heuchera support the following specialized bee: Colletes aestivalis. Tannin in the foliage gives it a bitter taste that makes it unappetizing to deer and rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pinkish or creamy-white bell-shaped flowers on slender dark red stems extend above the mounding clump of leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaf color ranges from olive green to bronze purple to deep purple above and wine-red below. Foliage may fade to bronze-green in hot summers.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Salt
