Coral Bells
Heuchera americana
Also called: American Alumroot
Coral Bells. Heuchera americana, commonly called American alumroot or coral bells, is a clump-forming evergreen perennial native to rocky woodlands of the eastern United States from southern Ontario to Georgia. Mounded rosettes of palmately lobed leaves — often heavily marbled with silver, purple, or bronze — send up airy panicles of tiny greenish-white bell flowers in late spring. Modern hybrids extend the foliage color range dramatically.
Growing & care
- Sun: part shade ideal; tolerates full sun in cool climates with consistent moisture and full shade with reduced flowering.
- Water: average. Mulch lightly to keep roots cool; established plants tolerate short droughts.
- Soil: rich, humus-rich, well-drained, slightly acidic. Adapts to a wide range if drainage is good.
- Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9 — broadly adapted across temperate North America.
- Spacing: 12–18 inches; mounds expand slowly.
- Winter care: in zones 4–5, mulch lightly after the ground freezes to prevent frost-heaving of the shallow crown.
Propagation
Divide established clumps every 3–4 years in early spring as the crown becomes woody and the central area dies out. Lift the entire crown, slice into 3–5 sections with a sharp knife, and replant at the original soil depth. Seed propagation works for the species but named hybrid cultivars must be divided to preserve foliage color.
Common problems
Frost-heaving is the most common winter failure — pushed-up crowns dry out and die. A 2-inch winter mulch after the ground freezes solves it. Crown rot follows wet feet or planting too deep. Strawberry root weevils notch the leaf margins but cause little real damage. Modern purple/bronze cultivars sometimes revert to green in deep shade. Coral bells are non-toxic to dogs and cats per ASPCA listings — a safe choice for the shade garden.
Coral Bells — seeds, tools & books
Native range
Native to 30 states
