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Heucherella

'Catching Fire'

PPAF

If you’re looking for a bright-colored foliage plant, you’ve found it! Vibrant lime green leaves are rounded, giving it a refined presence in the garden. The centers of leaves boast very defined flame-shaped markings that flare from the center like cherry red fire. In summer, these markings will deepen to mahogany. Cream flowers appear in early summer. This is a very polished, vigorous plant. For best foliage color and performance, plant in an area with filtered sun or afternoon shade. This hybrid is naturally heat and humidity tolerant. It forms a very dense mound of interesting foliage that is evergreen in most climates. Heucherella is a hybrid genus produced from a cross between Heuchera and Tiarella. From Heuchera they gain the many different foliage colors and textures, while Tiarella add deeper leaf lobes and serration, as well as their signature central leaf blotching. Heucherella are sterile hybrids, and so typically have longer bloom seasons than either of their parents.

• »  Vibrant lime green foliage with red markings
• »  Cream colored flowers
• »  Vigorous spiller in containers
• »  Also makes attractive small scale ground cover

Heucherellas perform beautifully in flower borders and in containers. A better performer in the north than in the south, their life span tends to increase as the average temperature is lowered. These perennials 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. Heucherellas 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 heucherellas 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.