Heuchera americana
Rock geranium, Satin leaf, American alum root
Also known as Heuchera lucida, Heuchera glauca
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 0.75m × 0.3m – 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring, Summer & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Loved for its year round foliage and dainty flower spikes in summer, it's versatile and easy to grow. The dark green leaves are ruffled with coppery veins and often a silvery marbled effect. Typically growing to 40cm height and spread, its perfect for filling gaps in the border or in pots for reliable colour and interest.
- Flower colour
- Green, Pink, Purple, Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Purple, Red, Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m – 0.75m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Replant every other year
Every other year the woody stem (in fact part of the rhizome) of heuchera can be replanted. When it reaches more than 7cm in length, simply dig the plant out and immediately replant it more deeply.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead heuchera flowers
The delicate flowering stems of heuchera can simply be carefully tugged off, they will readily detach when their time comes.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
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