Heuchera 'Grape Expectations' PP26894

Heuchera 'Grape Expectations' Coral Bells

Summer color

Spring color

Spring color in containers

Common Name: Coral Bells

When its vibrant grape purple new foliage emerges with black veins in spring, you’ll easily be able to pick ‘Grape Expectations’ out from the crowd. The broad, thick and durable, somewhat fuzzy leaves form a dense, upright mound as opposed to the wide spreading form of ‘Blackberry Ice’. As the temperatures rise, the leaves develop a bright silver coating and then turn back to very deep purple in late fall. Creamy white flowers are produced on dark purple stems in midsummer.

This plant is a Heuchera villosa hybrid. The H. villosa species is a robust, late blooming type that exhibits an increased tolerance of high heat and humidity over other species. H. villosa is native to the southeastern United States.

Coral bells are easy to grow and blend easily with most other perennials in the landscape. Because of their low, mounding habit, they are often used as edging along paths or in containers. Try cutting a few of the tall flower scapes for fresh bouquets.

Height:

12.0 Inches

Spread:

24.0 Inches

Scape Height:

34.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

White Shades

Foliage Color:

Purple shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Midsummer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds

Seasonal Interest:

Evergreen Fall Color

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Cottage Eclectic Formal Modern Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Easy To Grow Edging Attractive Foliage Mass Planting Salt Tolerant

Origin:

Native to North America

Heucheras are easy perennials to grow and fit nicely in the front of any border, rock garden, or container. They grow most vigorously and have the stongest colors when grown in partial shade (preferably afternoon shade). They can also be grown in full shade but their growth rate will be very slow. Some varieties can withstand full sun in northern climates if they have consistant moisture, but their colors tend to fade with the intensity of the sun. The soil should be amended with organic matter prior to planting. It should also have good drainage and a neutral pH.

Heucheras are evergreen in areas with mild winters. If properly sited out of the way of winter winds and with reliable snow cover, gardeners in northern regions may also find their heucheras acting as evergreens. If the plant looks tattered by early spring, shear off any damaged leaves to make room for the vibrant new foliage which will fill in quickly.

Heucheras can be grown under Black Walnut trees because they are resistant to the toxin Juglone which the trees emit from their roots.

Heucheras are also salt tolerant. They are useful in the north along pathways which are salted in winter or for people gardening in coastal regions. Occasionally in northern regions, heucheras have a tendancy to heave out of the ground because of the freeze/thaw cycle. To combat heaving, add an extra layer of compost around the plant's roots in the fall. In the spring, if the plants have heaved at all, the new roots will grow into the fresh new layer of compost.

Characteristics