Heuchera/Coral Bells growing time

[LadySusan]

It seems like heuchera are almost the perfect plant: Perennial, interesting foliage, evergreen, shade tolerant, sometimes flowers.  The downside seems to be that they are pretty pricey, at least compared to the annuals I'm used.

How fast do they take to reach full size?  And how long do they live?  Anything else I should know?

[ruthie7532]

The ones I planted at my first house were still going strong 5-6 years after planting with very little care. I planted in May, I think, and had blooms later that summer. MO Botanical Gardens says they should be divided every 3-4 years, so this suggests to me that they just keep growing and spreading. Mine got to be 3-4 feet wide. Who knows how big they've gotten since I moved? I will say, mine were not particularly attractive in the winter, though didn't go brown or anything (except for the stalks where the flowers grew. I always cut those back because they were ugly.) 

Hosta and Heuchera are some of the things I can grow without killing them, so they are dear to my heart. I just finished planting a bunch yesterday. 

[LadySusan]

ruthie7532, do you know what type you were growing?  There are so many varieties and I think they are each a bit different.

[auntie]

Perennial means they should live forever if planted in a suitable spot.

Not sure about cost, unlike annuals you don't buy a replacement every year, so the break even point is generally 3-5 years out unless you select some sexy new variety.

My local Costco have bare root perennials including Coral Bells available- several plants for about $12. I did some of their hosta last year and was happy enough with them. Bare root doesn't typically give a great show the first year.

[LadySusan]

Apr 26, 2015 6:57:33 GMT -5 auntie said:

Perennial means they should live forever if planted in a suitable spot.

Not sure about cost, unlike annuals you don't buy a replacement every year, so the break even point is generally 3-5 years out unless you select some sexy new variety.

My local Costco have bare root perennials including Coral Bells available- several plants for about $12. I did some of their hosta last year and was happy enough with them. Bare root doesn't typically give a great show the first year.

Thanks for the Costco tip, auntie!

[ruthie7532]

Apr 25, 2015 21:52:06 GMT -5 LadySusan said:

ruthie7532, do you know what type you were growing?  There are so many varieties and I think they are each a bit different.

Yeah, I think there are 50+ varieties, all with slightly different water and shade requirements, as well as leaf and flower colors. I don't remember what type I planted before, but on Friday I planted "Palace Purple" and "Golden Zebra". 

   

I will also be experimenting with Hellebore, I think. Blooms in late winter/early spring, partial to full shade, evergreen, supposed to be easy to establish.

[LadySusan]

Yes!

Hellebore is another one on my short list but the blossoms face downward and that just seems so sad. Still, beggars can't be choosers when it comes to flowers in winter.