Coral Bells Seeds

Coral bells is a traditional perennial foliage plant, with new varieties introduced every year.

Native to North America, the plants form round mounds with a woody rootstock or crown at their base and small bell-shaped flowers that begin in spring or early summer on the tall stems. Rich in nectar, the flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, plus make nice cut blooms.

Their leaves are rounded, lobed, hairy, and evergreen or semi-evergreen, depending on the climate. Besides traditional green-leaved coral bells, newer varieties have leaves in shades of purple, rose, lime green, gold, and more.

Coral bells are best planted in late fall or early spring and will grow at a moderate pace, making them a great option for woodlands, rock gardens, containers, borders, and ground covers. But they are short-lived perennials; unless divided regularly, they will die out in a few years.

• HARDINESS ZONE: 4-9
• GROW: Sprinkle the seed on the surface of the soil,making sure not to cover the seed as they need light to germinate.Kept at 65-70F.Coral bells seeds take two to eight weeks to germinate.
• TALL: Forms a basal mound up to 14 in. tall and wide (35 cm).
• CARE: Performs best in part shade in rich,humusy,medium moisture,well-drained soils.Thrives in dry shade,once established. Salt tolerant.

PLANTING & CARING FOR CORAL BELLS

One of the easiest perennials to grow, coral bells are virtually carefree. Here are the basics: 

Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, coral bells are tolerant of a wide range of light conditions, poor soil, heat, cold, humidity and drought.
Foliage comes in nearly every color imaginable, from silver to nearly black. Leaves are patterned, ruffled, wavy or smooth.
Flowers occur in hues of coral, red, white or pink and are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, and are long-lasting in cut arrangements.
How to plant:  Plant coral bells in spring or fall. Space plants 1-2 feet apart.

Light:  Coral bells can be grown in a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. Foliage color and bloom are best when plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.

Soil: Heuchera does best in rich well-draining soil, but is tolerant of clay or rocky soils and salt. If you have heavy clay garden soil, amend it to improve the drainage before planting your new coral bells or plant them in a raised bed.

Watering:  Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Heuchera is somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Provide extra water during hot spells.

Fertilizing:  In spring, spread a thin layer of compost or apply a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer around the base. For container-grown plants, supplement with a water-soluble fertilizer according to instructions.

Pruning: Trim back tattered foliage in early spring.

Pots: Coral bells grow beautifully in containers. Just make sure there is a hole in the bottom where the excess water can drain from. Transplant into the landscape in early fall if you'd like them to come back again next year. If you garden in zones 6b or warmer, they can be overwintered in containers.