How to Grow Coral Bells Perennial Flower Plant
About Growing Perennial Coral Bells in Your Home Flower Garden
Native to the woods and prairies of North America, perennial Coral Bell plants look nice in many settings. Most gardeners and homeowners grow them for their bright and colorful foliage. They look great in partially shaded areas of your yard where the selection of plants is more limited. This perennial plant has evergreen leaves, in a variety of foliage colors, with scalloped edges. And, growing Coral Bells flowers is easy. Established plants are basically maintenance-free.
There are hundreds of varieties groups into approximately 50 species. 1/2-inch bell-shaped flowers bloom in the spring atop tall, thin spikes.
Hummingbirds are attracted to this flower.
Coral Bell plants look good in shade gardens, rock gardens, as border edgings, and for ground cover. Try them in containers, on your patio or deck.
Did You Know? Alumroots are used in some pickling processes.
Coral Bells Plant Specifications
Flower colors: include shades of red, white, pink, and coral.
Flowers Bloom: Spring
Plant Height: Coral Bell plants grow 12″ to 36″ tall.
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial or filtered sunlight.
Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0.
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9.
Toxicity: Non-toxic.
Deer Resistant?: Yes
Native To: All species are native to North America.
Plant Type: Perennial.
Botanical Name: Heuchera
Other Names: Coral Bells are also called Alumroot.
Are Coral Bell Plants Edible?
Coral Bells plants are non-toxic to humans, animals, and pets.
However, we found no mention of consumption of this plant. Nor, did we find this plant to be an ingredient of any recipes.
So, while it is not poisonous, it most likely doesn’t taste very good.
If you find a recipe that uses coral bell plants, please let us know.
Medicinal Applicatons
The roots are used to shrink body tissue for nose bleeds, sore throats, ulcers, and hemorrhoids.
Coral Bells Plant Propagation
The plants are grown from seed. Sow Coral Bells seeds directly into your flower garden or started indoors for transplanting later.
If planting outdoors, sow Coral Bell seeds after the soil has begun to warm in the spring. Also, make sure to mark the planting site, as the seeds take a long time to germinate.
Due to the long germination time, we recommend an indoor start. Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area. This will allow you to better space the plants in your flower bed.
The plants can also be propagated by dividing the clumps in the spring or the fall.
Plant Spacing: The final spacing in your garden should be one to two feet. Obviously, give larger varieties the most spcace.
Day to Germination: The seeds are slow to germinate. They take over 2 weeks.
Light Requirements
In cooler regions, grow Coral Bells plants in full sun. However, for most areas, filtered sun to partial shade is best. Too much direct sun can cause the flower colors to fade.
Also, too much shade, especially in humid conditions, can cause fungal diseases.
How to Grow Perennial Coral Bells Flower Plants
As stated above, growing Coral Bells flowers is easy.
The plants grow best in full sun to partial shade. They tolerate a variety of soils but will do best in rich soil.
Add a general-purpose fertilizer once a month. We also recommend that you add a thick layer of compost or mulch, to feed the plants, keep weeds down, and retain moisture.
Even soil moisture over the growing period is best. Keep plants watered, especially in the first year, and during dry periods.
After the first bloom in spring, deadhead spent blooms. This will promote a second bloom for the plants.
Also see: Plant Problems – causes and cures.
Pruning Coral Bell Plants
Remove any dead, sickly or diseased branches and leaves. Also, thinning the leaves out a little helps to minimize the risk of plant disease.
Insects and Plant Disease
Coral Bells are resistant to most insects. Fugal disease can occur in damp weather.
If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicides.
Overwintering Coral Bell Plants
As a perennial, the plants should overwinter with few, if any problems.
In colder regions, the roots can heave out of the soil. To avoid this problem, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants.
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How to Dry Flowers – Many flowers can be dried and used for indoor arrangements and art projects.
Edible Flowers – yup, enjoy their beauty and eat then ’em!
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