Re: Heuchera 'Amber Waves' - your experience?

bridget lamp wrote:
> I've not grown this cultivar in particular, but after my google
> search, this is one that is noted as being difficult to grow.  One
> source said that it needs partial shade a good, well-draining which
> makes me think that this one requires less water than other
> Heucheras.  What they mean by "good" beats me--maybe they want a
> nutrient-rich soil.

Bridget
Flora actually specifies "fertile, moist, humus-rich, well drained soil"
which I think answers your question!

The humus is doubtless an important part of the equation, holding moisture to keep the roots cool, but also allowing plenty of drainage and so ensuring the soil in between always has plenty of air, which presumably is what the plant is fussy about.

I think myself it is defintely a mistake leaving a plant of this sort in a container out in the full sun. Unless it is in a really large pot (which seems unlikely if it is waiting to be planted out) the amount of soil around its roots is probably small enough to heat up considerably in direct sun and this will certainly be damaging the roots, which regardless of what the topgrowth will stand, definitely need the cool comfort of that humusy soil to properly protect them. Only a few plants, such as those geared to hot desert soils really tolerate having their roots baked like that. I should guess that unless it is soon moved into some shade or planted out in the ground in appropriate soil conditions it will quite likely not survive the summer no matter what watering regime is followed.

Container plants for sunny sites do need to be chosen with care as I found out the hard way many years ago!

Moira

--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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