Heuchera 'Caramel' Coral Bells

Heuchera 'Caramel', a large, late blooming type, is an evergreen (in warm climates) perennial that blooms midsummer. Grown mainly for its stunning, brightly colored foliage, 'Caramel' has fuzzy, heavily textured leaves that shade from apricot to amber and have a purple-red reverse. Color depends on light levels and temperature, with the deepest hues typically occurring in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. Showy sprays of dainty cream-colored blossoms, borne on long, thin stems, appear to float above the foliage. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and make cute, long-lasting bits in floral arrangements.

A Heuchera villosa variety, commonly called heuchera, coral bells, or hairy alumroot, 'Caramel' is a clumping-forming herbaceous plant with a low, compact, mounding habit that forms a basal rosette of leaves. Heuchera is a versatile plant for garden or container. Shown to best effect massed or grouped, it is an excellent mixed bedding plant or edging plant for paths or walkways. Ferns, astilbe, geranium, hakonechloa, and hosta are good companion plants for heuchera.

A cold hardy, easy-grow, easy-care plant, heuchera is virtually carefree. It grows best in a sunny to partly shady location with average to fertile, medium moist, loose, well-draining soil, having a slightly alkaline pH. But it performs well in most soils. Although heuchera is somewhat drought tolerant once established, its foliage declines in overly dry soil. Consistent moisture is recommended for this shallow-rooted plant, especially in hot climates, where afternoon shade may also be beneficial. The plant is low maintenance but mulching in late fall helps to moderate soil temperature and prevent heaving, and deadheading faded flowers promotes additional blooms. Remove dead leaves in spring. As a Heuchera villosa, 'Caramel' exhibits an increased tolerance to high heat and humidity, and it's salt tolerant. When planting, do not bury the crown of the plant.

A native plant, Heuchera villosa is indigenous to the southeastern U.S. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.