I would never consider myself a Heuchera (coral bells) groupie and in fact, I find the color of many of them to be quite garish. Not to mention (which of course I’m about to mention), I’ve killed more of these than I’ve kept alive (don’t even think about declaring them as “deer or rabbit resistant”).
Now having said that (which is a really frustrating and nonsensical phrase when you break it down, but it just rolled off the tongue keyboard here) I love me some Heuchera ‘Blackout’. That deep color kicks some major booty and is the ultimate edger for me.
I have mine planted in half sun/half shade and in one of the few spots in my yard that is well drained. They have been nibbled a bit by some rabbits but always recover without issue.
They are no larger than 1′ x 1′ and all they require is a trim in early spring to remove the tattered, winter damaged foliage.
My plan is to divide these this spring and experiment a bit in different locales (some full sun, some in poorer drainage, some closer to deer territory) with the smaller divisions.
More to come …
I picked up three Heuchera “Georgia Peach” last year at the Rutgers Day plant sale for color in a shady bed.
It’s worked in with some nondescript hosta (previous owner had planted it, I’m not that dumb. The deer left it alone after I sprayed Deer Out on it). That bed is edged with lamium ( white flowers), and backed by some rainbow leucothoe (I’m still wondering whether or not were a good idea – we’ll see what they look like in spring)
There’s a heavenly bamboo that borders the bed on the right hand side. This was also a previous owner’s addition, but it works in the spot it’s in – partially obscuring the utility & solar service meters from view from the street.
So yeah, bascially what I’m trying to get at is that I am attempting to break up a bunch of green in a shade bed on the east side of my house (shaded by neighbor’s oaks) with a peachy color foliage that doesn’t fade like flowers do.
That dark color is impressive. I’m off Heucheras myself – they look good for 1 season here, then get burned and ratty, never coming back to the same glory the following season.
Love the white summer snowflake with the dark foliage. I’m going to underplant my oak leaf hydrangea with 2 Midnight Ruffles this year to get that black and white theme going. John, I bet cimicifuga would perform for you in your moist conditions. Go for Black Negligee.
John, I agree, the ‘Blackout’ truly makes a stunner accent edger along your walkway.
With plenty to divide! I would think with its color shade, it would blend very nicely among other plant color combos in different locales in your yard. GO for the experiment!!
I like them all except those orangish ones. But I am also a bit garish myself.
I had ‘Obsidian’ and ‘Midnight Rose’ which disappeared mysteriously. Heuchera seem to be very picky about their location. Those with staying power in my garden include ‘Green Spice’, ‘Caramel’ and ‘Autumn Bride’.