Coral Bellsnative cultivar
Heuchera americana 'Green Spice' · Saxifragaceae
Field guide
'Green Spice' is a clump-forming coral bells cultivar derived largely from native Heuchera americana, prized for silvery-overlaid green leaves with dark purple veins that take amber tones in fall and winter. The semi-evergreen foliage mound reaches 8–10 in. with airy 18–24 in. stalks of tiny creamy flowers in late spring. It performs best in part to full shade in rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, resenting heavy clay and wet crowns; American-type heucheras tolerate Mid-Atlantic heat and humidity well.
Gardener's notes
Give your coral bells dappled shade and good drainage—soggy crowns and heavy clay kill them, not cold. Shear off wiry flower stalks when they fade and tidy winter-burned leaves in early spring. Lift and divide every few years to fight frost-heave.
Ecology
- Pollinators: small bees, syrphid flies, some hummingbird
Care this season
- Deadheading: remove spent flower stalks; tidy tattered leaves in spring
- Watch for: resents heavy clay and wet crowns (rots)
Meaning
Genus honors J.H. von Heucher; "coral bells" from the dangling flowers; "alumroot" from the astringent medicinal roots. A four-season foliage anchor for shade.
Sources
- Heuchera 'Green Spice' — NC State Extension
- Heuchera americana — Native Plant Trust
Notes: Grown for silver-veined foliage; americana parentage gives good Mid-Atlantic heat/humidity tolerance. Modest pollinator value.