Coral bells (Heuchera 'Amethyst Myst')
Heuchera 'Amethyst Myst' Coral bells dazzle with plum-burgundy, silver-dusted leaves and enjoy full sun to part shade.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’, commonly known as Coral bells, is a visually striking herbaceous perennial celebrated for its stunning foliage display. This cultivar features wonderfully rounded, lobed leaves colored a rich plum-burgundy hue, lightly dusted with silver, offering year-round interest in many climates. The structure forms a neat basal mound, perfect for defining garden edges or brightening woodland settings.
While prized for its leaves, Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ also offers delicate pink, bell-shaped flowers held aloft on airy stems from June into July. As a hybrid, its cultural needs are somewhat flexible, though generally favoring rich, well-drained soil environments. Successful cultivation relies on understanding that sun exposure dictates appearance; southern gardeners should prioritize afternoon shade for brilliance without scorch.
This variety of Coral bells provides excellent texture and contrast in mixed plantings. Whether used as an edger, mass planting, or focal point, Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ delivers consistent seasonal beauty, making it a staple for shade and woodland garden designs requiring low to moderate upkeep.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Heucheras are ideally situated in organically rich, humusy, medium-moisture soils that drain exceptionally well. Planting time should align with mild weather, typically spring or fall, ensuring the root ball is settled before temperature extremes hit. While parentage influences exact preference, most Coral bells, including Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’, appreciate part shade, especially protection from intense afternoon sun, which can cause foliage decline or scorch if moisture is inconsistent.
Maintain medium moisture levels throughout the growing season. If placed in full sun, consistent watering is critical to prevent the foliage of Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ from drying out. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if the soil is amended heavily with compost annually. Deadhead faded flower stems promptly after blooming to potentially encourage a second flush of flowers, although the primary appeal remains the foliage mound.
In cold winter regions, protect the plant by applying a winter compost mulch only after the ground has completely frozen to mitigate damaging root heaving caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Foliage retention is often year-round in warmer zones. Plan to divide large clumps every three to four years in the spring to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, as hybrids are best propagated via this method rather than seed.
Landscape Uses
Coral bells, particularly cultivars like Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’, excel as border plants, offering reliable texture along pathways or walkways where their mounding habit creates soft delineation. They are magnificent when massed together, allowing the plum-burgundy leaves to create large swaths of color. Their ability to thrive in partial shade makes them excellent candidates for softening the edges of open woodland gardens.
These plants partner beautifully with ferns, hostas, and bleeding hearts, as these companions share similar cultural requirements for rich soil and moisture. For rock gardens, the compact mounding form of Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ provides an excellent contrast against stone textures. Use them near the front of mixed borders to ensure their unique foliage color catches the light.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Heuchera, commonly called coral bells or alumroot, is a North American native genus featuring evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials adaptable to various habitats. Hybrid varieties, like ‘Amethyst Myst’, display expanded leaf coloration including shades of plum-burgundy with silver dusting, forming rounded, lobed mounds up to 9 inches tall. Tiny, pink, bell-shaped flowers emerge on airy panicles, rising substantially higher on wiry stems, typically reaching 18-26 inches tall during late spring to early summer.
Tolerances
- Frost heaving of roots may occur when winter temperatures fluctuate widely.
Potential Problems
Potential issues revolve primarily around cultural stress and common fungal or pest activity. Disease concerns include powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot, often managed by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering near susceptible leaves. Insect pests, though less common, can include weevils and foliar nematodes. The most critical maintenance point for Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ is preventing root heaving in winter by mulching only after the soil has frozen solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Coral bells suitable for?
Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ is reliably hardy throughout USDA Zones 4-8.
How large does Coral bells grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 1.5 to 2.5 feet, with a spread of 1 to 1.5 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Coral bells need?
Coral bells thrive in full sun to part shade conditions; provide afternoon shade in warmer climates to protect the foliage.
When does Coral bells bloom?
Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ displays its pink flowers during its peak bloom time, which is June to July.
Conclusion
The rich, silver-dusted tones of Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ provide unparalleled color interest, solidifying its status as a superior perennial for shaded borders. This versatile Coral bells selection offers manageable maintenance and reliable season-long performance. Before planting, confirm your site offers the required rich soil and appropriate light levels to best showcase this outstanding foliage plant.
Companion Planting
Choosing companions that enjoy similar moisture and shade profiles ensures a cohesive and healthy garden tapestry. Hostas provide broad, contrasting foliage textures next to the fine leaves of Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’. Consider pairing it with Astilbes, which bloom later and offer feathery plumes that complement the airy habit of the Coral bells flowers. In areas receiving more dappled sunlight, Hakonechloa grass or various hardy ferns create an excellent woodland floor effect that naturally complements the coloring of this specific Heuchera hybrid.
Design Ideas
For contemporary designs, group three or five Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ plants closely together in odd numbers to maximize visual impact when mass planting. Their strong color works beautifully as a foreground element against vertical accents like upright ornamental grasses or small Japanese maples. In containers, utilize the mounding habit as a “filler” plant, cascading slightly over the edge while surrounded by taller “thriller” plants, ensuring the plum-burgundy leaves offer deep contrast to brighter annuals or perennials planted alongside.
