Coral Bells, Alumroot, Coralbells, Alum Root 'Plum Pudding'
Heuchera
Family: | Saxifragaceae (saks-ih-frag-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Heuchera (HEW-ker-a) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Plum Pudding |

Category:
Perennials
Height:
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Bloom Color:
Pale Pink
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Shiny/Glossy-Textured
Mottled
Veined
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From leaf cuttings
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Foliage Color:
Silver/Gray
Burgundy
Bloom Characteristics:
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow:
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, (2 reports)
Quitzdorf Am See,
Anchorage, Alaska
Ashland, California
Fresno, California
San Jose, California
Silverado, California
Glastonbury, Connecticut
New Milford, Connecticut
Dover, Delaware
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Boise, Idaho
Ashton, Illinois
Bartlett, Illinois
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
Plainfield, Illinois
Spring Grove, Illinois
Petersburg, Indiana
Delhi, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Barbourville, Kentucky
Hebron, Kentucky
Latonia, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lutherville Timonium, Maryland
Dracut, Massachusetts
Franklin, Massachusetts
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
West Roxbury, Massachusetts
Lake Odessa, Michigan
Ludington, Michigan
Royal Oak, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Hopkins, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Silver Lake, Minnesota
North Walpole, New Hampshire
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Bronx, New York
Honeoye Falls, New York
Lockport, New York
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Belfield, North Dakota
Akron, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Clyde, Ohio
Coshocton, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Norristown, Pennsylvania
West Warwick, Rhode Island
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Christiana, Tennessee
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Fort Worth, Texas
Salt Lake City, Utah (2 reports)
Montpelier, Vermont
Evington, Virginia
Herndon, Virginia
Linden, Virginia
Manassas, Virginia
Arlington, Washington
Concrete, Washington
Fox Island, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Appleton, Wisconsin
Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Ranchester, Wyoming
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Negative | On Jun 29, 2015, RSFGardener from Rancho Santa Fe, CA wrote: A landscape architect chose Coral Bells for a mostly-shady spot at the front of our house. He chose poorly for this climate, I think. (San Diego/ North County) It's a pretty plant but every one of the 20+ plants died, one by one. One came back after the winter and died soon after. |
Negative | On Apr 18, 2014, bobbieberecz from Concrete, WA wrote: I'm so weary of this plant. I always fall in love with it in magazines, nurseries and other gardens. I buy it because it's listed for every shade garden in every periodical. I've tried it in bright shade, moist soil; dry shade; dappled shade with hand watering when dry; and heavier shade with a few hours of afternoon sun. I have good mulch, and loam/silt soil. IF the plant struggles through it's first season and actually hangs in there (barely) until the next spring, it's a fraction of the size and never (ever) produces a flower. I wish this plant would stop being listed as a "favorite" shade plant because my green thumb turns brown every time with it. After 20 years of trying, I'm throwing in the towel. |
Positive | On Jun 13, 2012, l6blue from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4b) wrote: I have several of these in various degrees of shade in my yard, and they all do well. They form beautiful full clumps. The plants become somewhat fuller with a little sun. The purple foliage forms a lovely contrast with the green of other plants, and the mounding form visiually grounds your landscape. The plants seem to benefit from occasional dead-heading. |
Positive | On Jun 22, 2009, shadydame from North Walpole, NH (Zone 5a) wrote: I purchased these plants by mail this spring, and they are doing extremely well, and even flowering! Coral Bells are a staple of my garden. |
Positive | On Jun 3, 2007, Seandor from Springfield, MA (Zone 6a) wrote: Planted this late last summer. WOW! Am I impressed! It is absolutely thriving in our front yard and looks spectacular with lamium "Purple Dragon" It has doubled its size and is sending up blossoms. |
Neutral | On Mar 22, 2007, berrygirl from Braselton, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: Plant Care |
Positive | On Oct 23, 2004, SalmonMe from Springboro, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: Beautiful foliage and low-maintenance care. Avoid planting in fall -- Heuchera may frost heave more readily if not established before cold weather. Plant in spring in well-draining soil. Consider covering with mulch for winter. |
Positive | On Jul 28, 2004, tulip523 from Hackettstown, NJ (Zone 6a) wrote: Although the huechera (plum pudding) is new to me besides its beauty I find it easy to take care of. |