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Heuchera

'Grape Expectations' Coral Bells

PP26894

When its vibrant grape purple new foliage emerges with black veins in spring, you’ll easily be able to pick ‘Grape Expectations’ out from the crowd. The broad, thick and durable, somewhat fuzzy leaves form a dense, upright mound as opposed to the wide spreading form of ‘Blackberry Ice’. As the temperatures rise, the leaves develop a bright silver coating and then turn back to very deep purple in late fall. Creamy white flowers are produced on dark purple stems in midsummer. This species is a robust, late blooming type that exhibits an increased tolerance of high heat and humidity over other species. Coral bells are easy to grow and blend easily with most other perennials in the landscape. Because of their low, mounding habit, they are often used as edging along paths or in containers. Try cutting a few of the tall flower scapes for fresh bouquets.

• »  Vibrant grape purple spring foliage with black veins
• »  Foliage matures with silver coating
• »  Deep purple leaves in late fall
• »  Creamy white flowers on dark purple stems

Heucheras are easy perennials to grow and fit nicely in the front of any border, rock garden, or container. They grow most vigorously and have the strongest colors when grown in partial shade (preferably afternoon shade). They can also be grown in full shade but their growth rate will be very slow. Some varieties can withstand full sun in northern climates if they have consistent moisture, but their colors tend to fade with the intensity of the sun. The soil should be amended with organic matter prior to planting. It should also have good drainage and a neutral pH. Heucheras are evergreen in areas with mild winters. If properly sited out of the way of winter winds and with reliable snow cover, gardeners in northern regions may also find their heucheras acting as evergreens. If the plant looks tattered by early spring, shear off any damaged leaves to make room for the vibrant new foliage which will fill in quickly. Heucheras can be grown under Black Walnut trees because they are resistant to the toxin Juglone which the trees emit from their roots. Heucheras are also salt tolerant. They are useful in the north along pathways which are salted in winter or for people gardening in coastal regions. Occasionally in northern regions, heucheras have a tendency to heave out of the ground because of the freeze thaw cycle. To combat heaving, add an extra layer of compost around the plant's roots in the fall. In the spring, if the plants have heaved at all, the new roots will grow into the fresh new layer of compost.