Heuchera 'Southern Comfort'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- HEW-ker-a
- Description
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Heuchera 'Southern Comfort' is a hybrid herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette, a cross between Heuchera 'Sparkling Beauty' and Heuchera villosa, and is a member of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). This plant has a clump-forming and mounding habit, with leaves that vary in color from cinnamon peach to burnished copper to amber as they mature. It grows 10 to 14 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Wiry, tall, slender stems, arising above the foliage, support the panicles of small creamy-white bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Its roots are fine, fibrous, and branching. Terra Nova Nurseries introduced this plant in 2008 to 2009, and its patent number is PP20364. It was selected for its leaf color, leaf size, and vigorous growth.
Best planted in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial sun to full shade. Leaf scorch can occur with hot afternoon sun. Faded, damaged leaves can be removed in early spring, and they will be replaced with fresh new leaves. 'Southern Comfort' has striking leaves and thrives in hot, humid environments where other heucheras struggle. It is evergreen in mild winter climates. It is winter hardy in zones 4 through 9. It is drought-tolerant and often not bothered by deer or rabbits. Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Since this is a cultivated variety, it may be subject to restrictions or be prohibited from propagation.
It works well mass-planted, in containers as a filler, as a border edging, or as a groundcover. It is suitable for shade, children’s, or rock gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases. Monitor for weevils and foliar nematodes. May be susceptible to powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot. Full sun can scorch the leaves.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Courtyard Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heuchera
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- 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:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a two-beaked, oval capsule. It ranges in color from tan to grayish-yellow to grayish-brown. It measures 0.2 inches long and 0.1 inch wide. The seeds are linear, 0.07 inches long, and black.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Airy panicle-like display of small, creamy-white flowers. Each bloom measures 0.2 inches long and 0.1 inch wide. The blooms last for approximately 2 weeks.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple, arranged in a rosette, and ovate to orbicular, with 5 rounded lobes and crenate and slightly wavy margins. The leaves are hairy on both sides. Each leaf may grow up to 9 inches long and 6 inches wide. New leaves are cinnamon peach-colored, mature to deep amber, and have good color retention. The petiole can grow up to 10 inches long and is grayish-orange.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wirey flower stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
