Heucherella plants: how to grow heucherella? Heuchera, also known as coral bells, and Tiarella cordifolia, also known as foamflower, are two plants that are closely related to one another. Together, they make up Heucherella (x Heucherella tiarelloides).
The “x” in the plant’s name denotes that it is a hybrid or a cross between two different species.
Heucherella gives many of the advantages of the two parent plants, as one might anticipate. Continue reading for details on the heucherella plant.
Heuchera vs Heucherella
Both heucherella and heuchera are native to North America and may be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.
The heart-shaped leaves of the heuchera flower are shared by heucherella, which is widely cultivated as a ground cover or border plant.
Heucherella flowers, which resemble foamflowers and have a foamy appearance, are available in pink, cream, and white hues.
Heucherella is more resistant to the rust disease and has a propensity to be more heat- and humidity-tolerant.
Other than that, since both plants come in a variety of sizes and shapes, the differences in the two plants’ color and form mainly depend on the variety.
How to Grow Heucherella
Heucherella is an easy plant to grow, although well-drained soil is essential to prevent the roots from becoming overwatered.
Before planting, add compost or properly-rotted manure to the soil to improve it. Although the plant can handle more sun in colder locations, shade is advantageous for the majority of heucherella cultivars. Once rooted, darker foliage also appears to be more sun-tolerant.
Heucherella can tolerate moderate drought, but it thrives in warm, dry weather and only receives infrequent watering.
Keep the plant from becoming severely wilted, but be careful not to overwater it because heucherella tends to rot in wet, poorly drained soil.
The plant benefits from routine applications of a water-soluble fertilizer blended at half strength even though Heucherella is a modest feeder.
Avoid using fertilizers heavy in nitrogen, which might result in spindly growth. Every three to four years, replant heucherella in newly amended soil to maintain the plant’s health and vitality. Throw away the earliest portion of the crown.
Tips for Heucherella Culture
In containers, Heucherella looks lovely and serves as a filler and spiller without competing with other types.
Silver-leaved varieties, such as heucherella ‘Twilight,’ make a beautiful contrast to annuals with brilliant flowers.
These plants share a lot of genetic similarities while having quite different cultural histories.
Heucherella prefers well-drained media since this sort of plant needs good drainage and high-peat mixtures may drown it.
Planting: For smaller plants, use two or three liners per pot instead of one 72-cell liner per 4-inch quart or one-gallon pot.
As these plants are quickly damaged by sinking the crown, make sure to plant the liner even with the final depth of soil in the container.
pH/EC: These plants prefer pour-thru methods with media with a pH range of 5.4 to 6.5 and an EC range of 0.76 to 1.25.
Heucherella thrives in air temperatures between 50°F and 55°F at night and 60°F to 65°F during the day.
The ideal range for root temperature is 55° to 60°F. This temperature range is also crucial for success. Avoiding excessive root temperatures is important because, especially in dark containers, summertime damage to roots can happen quickly.
Light: Heucherella almost always prefers filtered light and does best in 30 to 50% shade, depending on the area.
Less-foliage cultivars, such as “Twilight,” thrive in full sunlight providing the plant is well-rooted and receives the necessary hydration.
In Denver Botanic Garden testing, the cultivar varieties “Brass Lantern,” “Cracked Ice,” “Solar Eclipse,” and “Sweet Tea” also perform well in sunny locations.
The varieties “Copper Cascade” and “Redstone Falls” are the next ones that are suggested for sunny locations.
Watering and Fertilizer: Apply a low rate of a permanent liquid feed of 17-5-17 or 20-10-20 at 50 to 75 ppm nitrogen to the plants.
A high nitrogen content will result in lush, soft growth that is more prone to disease. Maintain an even moisture level throughout the growing medium to prevent root damage during development.
A prophylactic fungicide spray is advised if blooms are allowed to wilt significantly because root-rot pathogens quickly colonize injured roots.
Pinch/PGRs: Heucherella can be grown without pinching or PGRs. If the trailing varieties start to overgrow or entangle themselves with the surrounding vegetation, they can be cut down.
Pests/Illness: All Heucherella appear to be extremely resistant to the disease, despite rust being a concern in some Heuchera.
Heucherella is nevertheless linked to infections that cause root rot and bacterial spots. To prevent the finding of bacteria, avoid overhead watering.
Although the beneficial bacteria Bacillus subtilis may prevent spotting, copper fungicides work best for controlling an ongoing outbreak.
Most root diseases may be avoided by keeping the soil equally moist and at the right temperature, but broad-spectrum fungicides like thiophanatemethyl and triazole are effective at treating problems.
Heucherella is somewhat susceptible to a few pests, though root weevils can be a problem. Rhododendrons, yews, and hostas in particular show traces of their presence by their notched leaf on other plants.
Acephate or a neonicotinoid drench can be used to chemically suppress weevil grubs.
Acephate and pyrethroid mists can control mature weevils, however because the beetles are nocturnal, these treatments work best when applied in the evening.
Nematodes may also be useful, but use them in accordance with the manufacturer’s irrigation recommendations because a successful application procedure is essential.
Deer and rabbits enjoy eating the young, fresh foliage and blooms but prefer to leave the elder leaves, which can make them an issue.
Scheduling: Although 4-inch, quart, and gallon sizes are the most popular, 72-cell liners work well in most pots.
A 72-cell plant needs 4 to 6 weeks to reach a 4-inch pot, a quart container needs 5 to 7 weeks, and a one-gallon pot needs 8 to 10 weeks.
As you can see, taking care of heucherella is comparable to taking care of its parents and is pretty simple.
Discussion about this post