Coral bells (Heuchera 'Crimson Curls')
Heuchera 'Crimson Curls' Coral bells offer dense mounds of curled burgundy leaves, noted for low maintenance and texture in borders.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’, a vibrant cultivar of Coral bells, is prized in the garden for its spectacularly ruffled foliage that provides year-round color interest. This vigorous, clump-forming perennial develops mounds composed of burgundy red to dark purple-brown leaves featuring distinctly curled edges, adding unique texture where flatter foliage dominates. While the flowers are small and creamy white, the structural beauty of the foliage ensures the plant remains a focal point throughout the growing season.
As a low-maintenance option, this Coral bells variety performs best when planted in rich, humusy, well-drained soil. Its cultural needs are slightly dictated by its unknown parentage; it generally thrives in partial shade, especially protecting it from intense afternoon sun in warmer regions. Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ offers excellent versatility, providing excellent ground cover, edging interest, or textural contrast among fine-leaved plants.
Gardeners value this plant not just for its color but for its resilience across a wide range of climates, thriving from USDA Zones 3 through 8. Its evergreen nature in milder winters ensures that the garden retains structure even when other perennials slow down, making Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ a foundational plant for multi-season landscapes.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For the best results with Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’, plant it during the spring or fall. Selection of location is crucial; while some hybrids tolerate full sun in cooler northern climates, most require protection from the afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch, particularly in hotter southern zones. Ensure the soil is organically rich and medium in moisture, demanding excellent drainage to prevent root rot issues common to many cultivars.
Maintenance for this Coral bells is generally low. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially if you choose a sunnier exposure, as allowing the soil to dry out can lead to foliage decline. Deadheading spent flower stalks encourages the plant to put energy back into foliage production, and the leaves will remain effectively evergreen where winters are mild.
In colder zones (like the St. Louis example cited in parent data), winter care involves applying a layer of compost around the base after the ground freezes solid to insulate the roots and prevent damaging frost heaving. Plan on dividing established clumps every three to four years during the spring to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, which is the preferred method of propagation for hybrids like Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’.
Landscape Uses
Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ excels in intimate garden settings where its deeply ruffled, dark foliage can be appreciated up close. This cultivar is highly effective when massed together to create a solid block of rich, dark color or when planted in small groups to provide intentional contrast against silvery, fine-textured, or bright green companions.
Utilize this Coral bells variety as a durable edging plant along shaded pathways or walkways where its mounding habit neatly defines the border without requiring constant trimming. It transitions beautifully into open woodland garden themes, fitting naturally beneath high canopy trees or alongside ferns and hostas that share similar part-shade requirements. Its distinctive texture offers a year-round grounding element in mixed perennial borders.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Heuchera, the genus for Coral bells, consists of about 55 evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials native to North America, inhabiting diverse areas from coastal cliffs to alpine slopes. Hybrid varieties like ‘Crimson Curls’ display expanded leaf coloration and are often derived from crosses involving species such as H. Sanguinea and H. Villosa. This specific cultivar is known for its vigorous, clump-forming nature, featuring large, lobed leaves with ruffled edges that form a basal mound, topped by tall stems bearing tiny, creamy white flowers.
Potential Problems
Frost heaving of roots is a significant risk when winter temperatures experience wide, fluctuating swings; applying a winter compost mulch after the ground freezes helps mitigate this issue. Be vigilant against potential fungal and bacterial issues, including powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot, which thrive in humid conditions. Check frequently for insect pests such as weevils and foliar nematodes, addressing infestations promptly to maintain the health of your Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’.
Tolerances
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Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Coral bells suitable for?
Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ is adaptable and hardy across a broad range of climates, thriving best in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Coral bells grow?
This cultivar typically forms a basal mound achieving a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, spreading to a width of 1 to 1.5 feet.
When does Coral bells bloom?
Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ produces its bloom from May through July, featuring small, creamy white flowers borne on slender stems above the dark foliage.
What sun exposure does Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ need?
This plant handles conditions ranging from full sun, particularly beneficial in northern states, to part shade; however, afternoon shade is recommended during intense summer heat.
Conclusion
Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ is an invaluable asset for gardeners seeking low-maintenance texture and deep color that lasts for much of the year. The distinctive ruffled burgundy leaves of this Coral bells cultivar provide architectural interest unmatched by many other shade or partial-sun perennials. Before planting, confirm that your chosen site offers the medium moisture and well-drained soil required, ensuring your new Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ establishes successfully across its hardiness range.
Companion Planting
When placing Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ in your landscape, consider pairing it with plants that complement its dark color and moisture needs. Hostas with variegated or chartreuse foliage create a stunning contrast, making the deep purple-brown leaves of the Coral bells pop visually. Additionally, light-loving companions in the sunnier edges of its range, such as ornamental grasses or silver foliage plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina), thrive nearby, provided the Heuchera gets adequate afternoon relief.
Propagation Tips
While buying new named cultivars like Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’ is common, increasing your stock of existing plants is easily achieved through division. This essential maintenance task should be performed in the spring, every three to four years, just as new growth begins to emerge. Carefully lift the entire clump, gently separate the rooted portions, and immediately replant the divisions into enriched soil at the same depth they were previously growing.
