Re: Palace Purple Coral Bell (Heuchera micrantha)
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Palace Purple Coral Bell (Heuchera micrantha)
- From: M* T*
- Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 00:09:22 -0400
To see if your plant needs to move up a pot size, knock it out of the
pot. If the roots are engulfing the soil ball and starting to go
around and around so that you'd have to poke it good to get any soil
to fall off the rootball, get a 2 gal. pot and pot it up right away.
You could even go a tad larger if your plant is very full.
I've found that these guys like to be potted up regularly when kept
in pots. They also do not appreciate drying out, although they want
a free draining compost.
Re: the sun/shade issue. So much depends on where you are gardening.
In the far north, maritime states and the UK, Heuchera can probably
take "full" sun. In places with hot summers and the farther south
you go - where the sun is more intense as it is more directly
overhead - they will be much happier with at least mid-day to
afternoon shade. Morning sun is good for just about any plant, even
most shade lovers. According to Barry Yinger of Asiatica Nursery, it
toughens them up, and, considering what he is growing and how good it
looks, I believe him. His gardens are in southern Pennsylvania. It
very well could be that where you garden, Joe, full morning sun might
be too much.
As a *general* rule of thumb, the farther south you are - the closer
to the equator - the more shade a plant will either want or endure.
Southern sun is brutal and even some sun lovers will crisp around the
edges in it.
I have found that really deep shade does not give as large and robust
a plant, although they will tolerate it. I also concur that this is
one genus who needs soil that stays moist and does not dry out...but,
it has to be well drained; they do not like soggy feet.
Somebody asked if they bloom in fall. Not in my experience, but
plants seldom go by the book and late bloom could happen.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
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> From: cajun Joe <cajun4@HOME.COM>
> Date: Friday, July 21, 2000 9:25 AM
>
> Hello Kemberly & Deborah, and others - I moved my Heuchera from
direct sun
> 2 days ago, into broken shade under a tree. I know you won't
believe this,
> but it's like a changed plant in it's appearances. Poor thing, I
was burning
> it to death. It showed me how much it appreciated me moving it.
>
> I still have it in the original gallon pot I bought it in at
Wallmart. You
> are anyone else have any idea what size pot I should plant it in?
I'm not
> ready to plant it in the ground unless I have to???
>
> Cheers = Cajun Joe
> ----------------------------
