Coral Bells

Gary Bachman: New colorful coral bells are being introduced with foliage that adds interest and texture to any landscape, today on Southern Gardening.

Narrator: Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Gary Bachman: Known botanically as Heuchera, coral bells may not be the first plant when thinking about interesting garden color. New selections have purple, red and white marbling, and different colored venation. Foliage colors of bright gold, orange and brown abound. It seems the color palette is endless. A bright new selection is electro with yellow foliage that can brighten any dark pocket in the shade garden. Red veins in each leaf add a level of color pop. And best for Mississippi gardeners, it loves the heat and humidity. Another light colored selection is marmalade. The foliage has heavy ruffles and colors of amber, peach, and bronzy orange.

Coral bells can also have some of the darkest foliage around, ranging from deep burgundy to almost black. Midnight rose has dramatic blackish purple leaves that display splashes of the hottest pink imaginable. Try pairing with other shade loving plants like Pink Impatiens, and let the pink play back and forth all summer long.

Provide coral bells with two to three inches of mulch to help keep the soil cool. Though most flowers are inconspicuous, you should dead head to encourage repeat blooming through the summer. Prune the foliage in the early spring to clear the way for the new year's growth. This will help to maintain the shape and keep the center tight. The plants should be divided every three to four years.

Coral bells get their name from the nodding flower stems that are produced through the year. But being an evergreen perennial gives coral bells multi-season interest. I'm horticulturist Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.

Narrator: Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.