Grown for their colorful, heart-shaped leaves and summer flowers, coral bells (Heuchera spp.) … Come late winter or early spring, you should prune your coral bells to remove tattered leaves and to make room for new growth.
Correspondingly, how do you take care of coral bells?
Give them well-drained, moist, rich soil that’s neutral to slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Some species, like H. sanguinea, don’t tolerate clayey or acidic soils. Other than keeping them regularly watered during their first year of growth, heucheras don’t require much care.
Herein, do coral bells die in winter?
Even though they can grow as evergreens, coral bells, also known as alum root, might die back in your climate, especially during colder than normal winters. To ensure that their interesting foliage and flowers return the next year, give your coral bells a bit of tender-loving care during winter.
Do coral bells prefer sun or shade?
One of the most versatile perennials you can grow in zones 4-9 is Coral Bells (Heuchera). Here’s a plant that will grow in any amount of sunlight, from full sun to full shade, as long as you water it. Ideally, coral bells prefer partial shade and average moisture levels.
Why do my coral bells keep dying?
But the biggest problem was the tendency of some varieties to rot away. Coral bells have shallow roots that need moisture, but too much moisture, especially during winter dormancy, induces stem and crown rot diseases.
When should I fertilize coral bells?
The best time to fertilize coral bells is in the spring, around the time the plant breaks its winter dormancy and new growth appears. They only need fertilizing once a year.
Do coral bells come back every year?
To start with, coral bells are perennials and will come back year after year. They will also multiply on their own and after three or four years may need to be thinned out, but what a joy to have a plant that grows so well you have to “weed it out” every so many years!
Can coral bells take full sun?
Light: Coral bells can be grown in a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. Foliage color and bloom are best when plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.
How do you deadhead coral bells?
Why won’t my coral bells bloom?
Blooming Factors
Coral bells won’t bloom at all if they are not cared for properly. They require rich, well-draining soil and prefer moist, cool conditions. This can be a delicate balance as they like the soil continually moist — but too much water may cause fungal diseases such as root rot to develop.
How deep do you plant coral bells?
Although they do produce flowers in the summer, the most attractive character are their beautiful leaves. Transplant into the garden as soon as evening temperatures stay above 40F. Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and about 5 to 6 inches deep. Place them in their holes.
Should I fertilize coral bells?
Fertilizer. Feed coral bells in the spring with a half-inch layer of compost or a light amount of slow-release fertilizer. This plant has light feeding needs; you should avoid heavy applications of quick-release fertilizers, as this will inhibit flowering.
Should Heuchera be cut back in the fall?
The plants are evergreen and bloom in the late fall through early spring depending on variety. Heucheras: Do not cut back. The semi-evergreen growth protects the plants from the temperature changes and accompanying heaving common in shallow rooted plants.
