Coral bells

Heuchera cultivars

Description

Coral bells — *Heuchera ‘*Santa Ana Cardinal*‘*

Coral bells — *Heuchera ‘*Canyon Chimes*‘*

Coral bells are one of the most charming flowering perennials for residential gardens within the Inland Empire. A number of cultivars are now available from many nurseries; some are derived from native California species. Coral bells are recognized by their rounded leaves, delicate flowers and tidy mounding habit. They produce numerous slender spikes containing colorful bell-shaped flowers in the spring.

Coral bells are highly attractive when featured in small garden spaces and containers, or when planted in large masses and drifts in the understory of trees. Their best garden value is achieved when planted in partial shade, in well-drained soils with regular water. Flowering cycles vary according to species and cultivar; ranging from spring to summer and fall. Leaves can burn when planted in full sun in hot locations. Popular cultivars include H. ‘Wendy’ is a robust selection that mounds 10-12 in. high with pink flowers, H. ‘Santa Ana Cardinal’, growing 10-12 in. high with cardinal red flowers, H. ‘Canyon Chimes’ is a tiny cultivar growing 4-6″ high with small leaves and petite pink flowers, and H. ‘Suzana’ produces coral-red flowers and mounds 8-12″ high.

Plant Type: Perennial, Native
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Mounding, Compact
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Medium green, Bronze, Bright green
Flower Color: Pink, Red
Flower Season: Summer, Spring, Fall
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil
Exposure Adaptations: Moderate shade, Partial sun
Function: California native, Borders, Wildlife value, Rock gardens, Residential spaces, Near pools and water features, Mass planting, Small spaces, Hummingbird plant, Grouped, Flowering accent plant, Container plant
Height: 12 in. – 15 in.
Width: 12 in. – 15 in.

Watering Schedule: Low 2

For most situations, we recommend watering deeply every 2 weeks after establishment.

Learn how to apply this watering schedule to your landscape on our How to water waterwise and California native plants page.

Important Notes

These are general guidelines. Always observe and adjust as necessary for your landscape.
If it rains over 1” you will likely not need to water for at least another two weeks. Before watering again, check the soil. It should be significantly dry at least 4” below the soil surface before watering.
To save water, in many cases you can go longer in between waterings during the winter, often up to 3-4 weeks between watering for well-established plants. Two weeks after watering, check the soil approximately 4” below the surface. If it is still significantly moist, you can wait longer before watering again.
In most cases, if you have a “smart timer” or weather sensitive irrigation controller, you may use these features to save some water in in the fall and winter. If you are using automatic weather adjusting functions, continue to allow the timer to run every two weeks. It will adjust the number of minutes it runs to account for the cooler weather.
It is important to group plants with the same water needs together in the landscape to avoid needing to over or under water plants when running your irrigation system.