Woodland Plants - page 3

Heuchera 'Amber Waves'

Heuchera 'Amber Waves' is a prime example of today's coral bell. These plants add color, shape, texture, & blossoms to the garden. Pollinating bees & humming birds are drawn like magnets to the tiny flowers of these plants. Heucheras, Tiarellas, & Heucherellas (the cross-pollinating results of heucheras & tiarellas) are all kissin' cousins with very similar family traits. They all grow well in mostly shade, and part-shade to part-sun and appreciate adequate water. Some species grow wonderfully in mostly-sun to full-sun but of course, the appearance of the plant adapts to growing conditons. My daughter has a large, purple/black heuchera that grows so beautifully in full sun that it makes me pee-green with envy every time I see it.

Last year a girl friend & I even went on a plant expedition specifically searching for heuchera 'Citronella'. It was on an exclusive release to the Woodsmith Store last season. We found it too and paid the price! It was worth it! The plant held its bright chartreuse-limey yellow color on large ruffled leaves all summer long. It's a winner!

I even bought a book to learn all about these plants, "Heuchera and Heucherellas" "Coral Bells and Foamy Bells" by Dan Heims and Grahame Ware - Timber Press, Inc 2005 The book jacket intro just about says it all: "Few perennials have undergone as dramatic a 'Makeover' as heucheras (coral bells). Drawn mainly from diminutive forest-dwelling species with small white flowers and unremarkable foliage, these woodlanders and crevice dwellers are indisputably the Cinderellas of today's gardens - they are now among the most popular, colorful, and award-winning plant in nurseries around the world." The book gives background on the wild species of Heuchera, & tells how they were developed into "the garden stars" of today. "The book's main feature is extensive listings of the hundreds of choice selections and hybrids available commercially, practical chapters on garden care, propagation, and design uses round out this fascinating account." I like the pictures best!

I'm beginning to like this trio of plants - heucheras, tiarellas, & heucherellas - almost as much as I do hostas especially since I discovered & grew a beautiful, delicate, purple-pink heuchera seedling in 2006. That really turned me on! I found the tiny little thing during fall clean-up in the gardens. It was only about an inch tall but yet 3 miniature heuchera-type leaves shown. I thought it would be lost over-winter so I put it in a little pot & stuck it under my winter-grow lights. It lived! And I had such a wonderful time watching it grow. I put it in a pink glazed pot & moved it outdoors in spring-time. It was wonderful all season. I did not notice it bloom though. When fall arrived I removed it from its pot & planted in the ground. It was such a fun adventure. Now I have illusions of grandeur of contacting one of the big boy nurseries & putting my seedling into tc (tissue culture) thus becoming rich & famous. LOL! Hey, it's all about having fun!

For additional info about heucheras, tiarellas, & heucherellas see the Perennials page.

Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles'
2007 - new in Marlys' Garden

Glory of the Snow
Chinodoxa luciliae (meaning snow) & doxa (meaning glory)

Learn more about Glory of the Snow.