Heuchera villosa
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Heuchera villosa var. macrorhiza
- Heuchera villosa var. villosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- HEW-ker-ah vil-OH-suh
- Description
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Hairy alumroot is a low-mounding, broadleaf evergreen, herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States, from New York to northern Georgia. It belongs to the Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage) family and is found in moist, rich woods and rocky, wooded slopes, ledges, and cliffs. The genus is named for Johann H. von Heucher, an 18th-century German physician, botanist, and medicinal plant expert. Villosa means covered with soft hairs.
It grows best in partial shade or dappled sunlight and in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Hairy alumroot is heat and humidity tolerant and, at up to 2 feet and 8 inches high by 1.5 to 2 feet wide, one of the largest alumroots. It is moderately drought tolerant, but scorching and general plant decline may occur if soil completely dries out.
In North Carolina, the flowers are available from June to October to bees and other pollinators. Deer and rabbits find this plant’s foliage unappetizing.
This plant has many landscape uses: mass planted in a woodland or on a slope, in small groups bordering a walkway, or planted in a container. It is well suited for native, pollinator, rock, or shade gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Learn more about Heuchera spp.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Autumn Bride'
Fuzzy green leaves, white flowers, requires part to full shade - Brownies
Dark green foliage with pale, purplish-brown underside. Not for full sun - Carmel
Apricot new growth fades to soft amber. Fall color is salmon red
- 'Autumn Bride'
- 'Autumn Bride', Brownies, Carmel
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Autumn Bride'
Fuzzy green leaves, white flowers, requires part to full shade - Brownies
Dark green foliage with pale, purplish-brown underside. Not for full sun - Carmel
Apricot new growth fades to soft amber. Fall color is salmon red
- 'Autumn Bride'
- 'Autumn Bride', Brownies, Carmel
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heuchera
- Species:
- villosa
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern United States - native from New York to northern Georgia
- Distribution:
- Greatest distribution is in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Heuchera support the specialized bee: Colletes aestivalis. Tannin in the foliage makes it unappetizing to deer and rabbits. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- In North Carolina, the fruits are available from July to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Description:
- Small flowers have prominent sepals, inconspicuous petals and extended pistils and stamens. The petioles and flowering stems are hairy. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from June to October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal leaves are bronze or purple and have 5-9 sharp lobes and are often compared to maple. They are 2-4.5 inches, long-stalked and have hairy stems.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
