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Heuchera villosa

Previously known as:

  • Heuchera villosa var. macrorhiza
  • Heuchera villosa var. villosa
Phonetic Spelling
HEW-ker-ah vil-OH-suh
Description

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 Gardenerâ„  Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
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', Brownies, Carmel
Tags:
#cultivars#evergreen#heat tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#piedmont#shade garden#apvg#fall interest#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#specialized bees#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#mountains#groundcover#fruits fall#summer interest#rock garden#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#fantz#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#food source nectar#food source pollen#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#apvg-p#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland garden#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
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', Brownies, Carmel
Tags:
#cultivars#evergreen#heat tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#piedmont#shade garden#apvg#fall interest#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#specialized bees#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#mountains#groundcover#fruits fall#summer interest#rock garden#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#fantz#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#food source nectar#food source pollen#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#apvg-p#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland garden#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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