Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' (Coral Bells) — Clump forming

Overview

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Heuchera, part of the Saxifragaceae family, with evergreen, semi evergreen foliage. Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, flower borders and beds, underplanting of roses and shrubs and ground cover.

About

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' is a clump-forming perennial in the Saxifragaceae with semi‑evergreen foliage. It suits partial shade and prefers a loam soil that is neutral in pH and moist but well‑drained. Flowering occurs from May to August. The cultivar is often used for underplanting, containers and as ground cover where sheltered conditions are available.

About the genus

Heuchera is a genus of largely evergreen perennial plants in the family Saxifragaceae. All species are native to North America except for Heuchera sichotensis, native to the Russian Far East. Common names include alumroot and coral bells.

Wikipedia contributors, "Heuchera", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Heuchera

In the garden

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' belongs to the genus Heuchera within the Saxifragaceae and carries the genus’s largely North American heritage into garden cultivars. It forms neat clumps of semi‑evergreen leaves that persist through mild winters and produce flowers from May to August. Plant into a loam-based soil with a neutral pH that remains moist but drains freely; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. Position the plant in partial shade and a sheltered spot — it will tolerate north-, east-, south- or west-facing aspects but does best away from direct, hot afternoon sun. The cultivar is rated H6, meaning it is very hardy and will withstand most UK winters when given shelter from exposed conditions. Use Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' at the front of beds, as a ground cover between shrubs, in city courtyards and patios, or beneath roses where a semi‑evergreen basal layer is wanted. Containers also suit its clump-forming habit. Flowers appear from May to August while the foliage provides year-round structure, so plant it where both seasonal bloom and persistent leaf cover are useful at the base of larger shrubs.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Heuchera

Sunlight: Partial shade
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Ground cover

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain'

Propagation: Division in late summer or early autumn
Pest resistance: Vine weevil, Leaf and bud eelworm
Disease resistance: Heuchera rust

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain'?

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' need?

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

Is Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' hardy in the UK?

Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Heuchera amer. 'Dale's Strain'?

Division in late summer or early autumn.

More in the Heuchera genus

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