Heuchera is a versatile perennial, with attractive foliage and bell-shaped flowers. Also known as coral bells, they offer an array of colors and forms, multi-seasonal interest and long bloom time. Grow them in a shade garden or in pots.
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Coral bells (Heuchera) are a popular perennial grown for their colorful, evergreen foliage Their ruffled leaves come in hues of lime green, burgundy, silver, peach, and everything in between Coral bells put on a show in the garden from spring to fall, but when cooler weather arrives, you may be wondering if you should cut them back. Here’s what you need to know about cutting coral bells in the fall.
An Overview of Coral Bells
Coral bells are native to North America and grow as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. They form a low mounding habit in the garden reaching 8-18 inches tall and wide depending on the variety. Their ruffled leaves remain evergreen in mild climates, meaning they retain their foliage through winter.
Coral bells bloom in late spring or early summer. Flower stalks emerge first, reaching up to 24 inches tall, followed by tiny bell-shaped blooms. Flower colors vary from white to pink to red depending on the variety. The foliage is the real showstopper though, blanketing the garden in colorful leaves.
Popular coral bells varieties include:
- ‘Palace Purple’ – Deep purple, ruffled leaves
- ‘Stained Glass’ – Lime green leaves with burgundy veining
- ‘Lime Rickey’ – Chartreuse green leaves that turn burgundy in fall
- ‘Caramel’ – Peachy-orange leaves with red undersides
Should You Cut Them Back in Fall?
When it comes to fall pruning, coral bells are one perennial you should leave alone. Here’s why:
Their foliage protects the crown. A plant’s crown is where new growth emerges each year. It’s located at the base of the plant, near ground level. Trimming coral bells in fall removes important insulation that keeps the crown protected through winter.
It can damage new growth. Coral bells produce new leaves near their crown in late fall. Cutting back foliage in autumn risks damaging this new growth before it has time to mature.
It’s unnecessary. The colorful foliage on coral bells stays fresh looking all season long. It fades a bit in winter but still adds interest to the winter garden. No need for a fall haircut here!
Spring offers a better time. Waiting to prune coral bells until early spring allows you to remove any damaged leaves from winter. It also avoids cutting new growth that emerges in fall.
Caring for Coral Bells in Fall
While you should hold off pruning coral bells in fall, there are a few other care tips to follow:
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Cut back spent flower stalks to keep the foliage as the focal point.
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Water periodically if rainfall is lacking. Don’t let the soil dry out.
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Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the base to insulate roots.
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Mark the location of young plants to avoid damaging them when cleaning up the garden.
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Remove any diseased foliage and dispose of it (don’t compost it).
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Divide overgrown plants every 2-3 years in spring or fall.
When to Cut Them Back
Here’s a quick recap on when you should prune coral bells each season:
Fall: Avoid cutting back foliage. Allow it to remain through winter. Remove spent flowers if desired.
Winter: Leave the evergreen foliage in place.
Spring: Tidy up plants by removing damaged leaves. Cut back foliage before new growth begins. Divide congested plants.
Summer: Prune spent flower stalks back to the foliage. Remove any diseased leaves promptly. Water during droughts.
Alternatives to Cutting Coral Bells in Fall
If overgrown coral bells are bothering you in the fall garden, you have options beyond shearing them back:
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Transplant them to a new spot in the garden.
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Gift extras to gardening friends or donate to a plant sale.
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Plant a tall perennial like ornamental grasses behind them to disguise bare lower stems.
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Add spring bulbs nearby for added fall and winter interest.
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Switch to a dwarf coral bells variety that stays tidier.
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Replace with a different fall-blooming perennial.
The Verdict on Fall Pruning
When it comes to coral bells, resist the urge to cut them back in fall. Their foliage acts as a natural blanket to protect the plant through winter. Trimming too early can damage new growth and leave the plant vulnerable to cold damage. For best results, wait to prune coral bells until early spring each year. Then you can enjoy their colorful contribution to the fall and winter landscape.
Tips for picking the right heuchera for your garden:
- Primo® coral bells are larger and make showy specimens in containers, and pair easily with hostas and other part shade loving plants in the landscape. Primo varieties are well-suited to climates with hot, humid summers but thrive all across North America.
- Dolce® coral bells tend to be smaller plants than those in the Primo collection. That makes them easier to pair with other plants in container recipes and to use near the front of the landscape border.
- Varieties with lighter colored leaves, like yellow or soft peach, need more shade to protect them from sun scorch. Plant them in morning sun or full shade.
- Varieties with near-black foliage or another saturated color can handle more sun. In cooler growing regions, they will even grow in full sun if given enough moisture.
- Coral bells with especially fuzzy leaves tend to prefer less water and be more heat tolerant than those with shiny leaves. Those are good choices to plant in warmer climates and in places where the soil tends to be a bit drier.
- Some varieties of coral bells change colors throughout the year. Spring and fall weather tends to make the colors brighter while the summer’s heat may encourage a light silvering to develop on some varieties. This is perfectly normal and should not be a cause for concern.
- Some varieties of coral bells produce showy flowers while others are grown strictly for their foliage. When shopping, read the plant label to know whether you should expect showy blooms to appear.
- Varieties that produce flowers can be used as cut flowers in fresh bouquets. The flower stems are typically long and strong enough for cutting and the flowers last several days. The leaves of coral bells can also be used in small arrangements.
- Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to coral bells with vibrant red or pink flowers.
VARIETIES OF CORAL BELLS
Proven Winners® coral bells come in a wide range of foliage colors, patterns and shapes. Try these in your garden:
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Primo® ‘Black Pearl’ is similar to ‘Obsidian’, but with darker purple-black coloring. Ruffled leaves set off dainty flowers with pink buds that open to snow-white. Makes a sophisticated accent in a pot, or at the front of a sunny border. |
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Dolce® ‘Wildberry’ looks similar to ‘Forever Purple’, but holds its intense purple coloring better throughout the growing season. Use as a container accent or mass in a sunny border for a bright splash of color. |
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Primo® ‘Peachberry Ice’ has striking ruffled apricot-orange leaves with pink undersides. Bright new growth mellows in summer to complement the cream flowers. Use this low spreader as a groundcover to illuminate shady woodland borders. |
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Primo® ‘Wild Rose’ sports rose-red flowers and rich purple-red leaves with charcoal-gray veining. Place alongside gold-foliaged plants to lend striking contrast in a mixed border. |
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Dolce® ‘Silver Gumdrop’ has semi-glossy silver veined leaves that develop a rosy blush overtone later in the season. Vibrant pink flowers that bloom in mid-summer stand out against the elegant foliage. Use to brighten up a shady border. |
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Dolce® ‘Toffee Tart’ has rich amber new growth that fades to ginger to complement the creamy white flowers. Similar to ‘Caramel’, it’s more fade- and burn-resistant. The diminutive size is suitable for container combinations or pathway edging. |
How (and when) to prune Heucheras, Heucherellas and Tiarellas
FAQ
Do you deadhead coral bells in the fall?
Dividing, Deadheading and Pruning
Divide coral bells clumps as needed, or about every three or four years. Deadhead the flowers to promote more blooms, which may continue into late summer and early fall. After the flowers finish, cut off the stalks to help the plant put more energy into leaf production.
Should you cut back lamb’s ears in the fall?
Lamb’s ear will die back in the winter, but it usually rebounds in the spring. Shear the entire plant at the soil level at the end of the growing season to maintain its health and growth habits.