Description

Heuchera, alum root, coral bells – all the same plant! Richardson’s alum root has dainty heart-shaped basal leaves with wavy edges. Leaves are supported on long, hairy petioles (leaf stalks), which are longer than the leaves themselves. Leaf undersides are distinctively hairy. The leaves remain over winter, turning orange or reddish brown in the fall and reverting to green in the following spring. A somewhat inconspicuous inflorescence is made up of small, greenish-white, drooping bell-shaped flowers. The flowers appear atop a slender, hairy, leafless, 1-2 ft. flowering stalk, which arises from the center of the plant. Very similar in appearance to Heuchera americana (common alum root).

Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies.

Once established, it is an easy plant to grow. Best grown in organically rich, humusy, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant, but bloom time may be shortened in drier conditions. Pruning ratty foliage in summer will reward you with a foliage rejuvenation. In cold winter climates, a winter mulch applied after the ground freezes will help prevent root heaving (clumps are shallow-rooted and will develop woody bases rather quickly). Divide clumps in spring every 3-4 years.

Height: 1-2 ft.
Spread: 1-1.5 ft.
Family: Saxifragaceae
Bloom time: June to July
Sun: full sun to part shade
Water: dry to medium
Deer and rabbit resistant