Heuchera sanguinea (coral bells) — Perennial

Overview

Heuchera sanguinea is a perennial in the genus Heuchera, part of the Saxifragaceae family. It typically grows around 0.5 m tall. Heuchera sanguinea grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to New Mexico and Arizona.

About

Heuchera sanguinea is a perennial notable for its bell-shaped, pink to red flowers that appear from May to August. It forms a low clump about 0.5 m high and favours a sunny position. Plant it into sandy or loamy soils that are moist but drain freely. It is fully hardy in the UK (H7).

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Heuchera sanguinea

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 sanguinea is a herbaceous perennial native to New Mexico and Arizona, grown for its pendent, bell-shaped flowers that open from May to August. In its native range it tolerates warm, well-drained sites; under UK conditions those flowers provide a clear seasonal display through late spring and summer. Give Heuchera sanguinea a sunny aspect and a free-draining sandy or loamy soil that retains some moisture without waterlogging. It performs at around 0.5 m tall and copes with the cold typical of British gardens, rated H7 (fully hardy). Where USDA zones are referenced, it corresponds to zones 4–10. Sit it towards the front of a sunny border, on a gravel bank or beside paths where the flowering stems are visible; the height keeps it out of the way of taller perennials. Plant spacings of a few plants will create a recurring summer display, and keeping soil open and not waterlogged will reduce the risk of rot. The bell-shaped flowers from May to August form the plant’s primary seasonal contribution to the sunny border.