Coral bells (Heuchera 'Strawberry Candy')
Heuchera 'Strawberry Candy' Coral bells offer stunning silver-mottled leaves and bright pink spring flowers in zones 4-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’, commonly known as Coral bells, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial celebrated for its attractive mound of foliage backed by charming flowers. This specific cultivar stands out due to its vigorous clumping habit, dwarf size, and distinctive silver-mottled green leaves that provide three-season interest. Gardeners prize Coral bells for their ability to add striking color and texture to shaded or partially sunny garden spaces.
The plant produces large, showy pink flowers from June into July, held high on slender stems above the basal mound. While the bloom display is lovely, much of the lasting appeal of Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ lies in its semi-evergreen foliage, which remains vibrant even when not flowering. Successful cultivation generally requires rich, well-drained soil, though specific sun tolerance often depends on parentage.
As a tough North American native hybrid, Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ brings reliable performance to borders and beds. It offers excellent year-round structure when planted alongside spring bulbs or summer annuals, ensuring that your landscape never looks entirely bare, especially in milder winter climates.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 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
Planting Coral bells is best done in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Choose a location offering organically rich, humusy soil that is consistently moist but drains exceptionally well. While this Heuchera can tolerate full sun in northern climates, gardeners in warmer regions should ensure it receives protection from the harsh afternoon heat, as strong sun coupled with dryness can cause foliage scorch.
Once established, Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ requires medium water—allow the soil to approach dryness between waterings, but never let it fully dry out, especially if grown in brighter exposures. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if the soil is rich, but a light application of compost in the spring can boost vigor. Prune by removing stems bearing faded flowers to encourage any potential repeat blooming throughout the season.
Winter care is important, particularly in colder zones where root heaving is a risk. Apply a layer of compost mulch only after the ground has frozen solid to insulate the crown. To maintain clump health and vigor, plan to divide your Coral bells every three to four years in the spring, refreshing the surrounding soil during the process.
Landscape Uses
Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ excels in mass plantings where its uniform habit creates a dramatic sweep of silver-mottled color. Its moderate height makes it an ideal candidate for the front or middle of mixed perennial borders, providing excellent transitional texture between shorter groundcovers and taller background plants. This cultivar is also effective when used as a refined edging material along stone paths or walkways where its defined, tidy mounds can be clearly appreciated.
For woodland garden designs, Coral bells pair beautifully with hostas, ferns, and bleeding hearts, thriving in the dappled light they naturally prefer. In rock gardens, the relatively dwarf spread of Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ allows it to fit snugly between stones, contrasting beautifully with coarse textures. When designing, consider companion plants that offer contrasting foliage colors, such as deep purple Heuchera varieties or plants with bright green or blue leaves, to make the silver mottling pop.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Heuchera, commonly called coral bells or alumroot, is a genus of about 55 evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials native to North America. Hybrid cultivars like ‘Strawberry Candy’ feature leaves in diverse colors and variegations, often with contrasting veins. This specific cultivar is recognized for its vigorous clump, notable silver mottling on green leaves, and large pink flowers rising above the basal mound.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
The primary maintenance concern for Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ relates to fluctuating winter temperatures, which can cause frost heaving, pushing the plant’s roots above the soil line. Prevent this by applying a protective winter compost mulch only after the ground freezes.
In terms of disease, be vigilant for powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot, which thrive in high humidity or poor air circulation. Proper spacing during planting and avoiding overhead watering can mitigate fungal issues. Watch for pests like weevils and foliar nematodes, managing infestations quickly if they appear to maintain foliage integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Coral bells suitable for?
Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ grow?
This robust cultivar typically reaches heights between 1.5 to 2 feet and spreads to about 1 to 1.5 feet wide, forming a dense basal mound.
What sun exposure does Coral bells need?
Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ performs best with partial shade, although it can handle full sun provided it receives consistent water, especially in hotter climates.
When does Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ bloom?
This perennial displays attractive pink flowers atop slender stems, generally blooming from June into July.
Conclusion
Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ offers exceptional year-round visual appeal through its unique silver-mottled foliage and delightful pink spring blooms, making it a cornerstone for shaded borders. This robust Coral bells cultivar adapts well to various garden settings when its need for well-drained, rich soil is met. Before planting, confirm that your local garden falls comfortably within USDA Zones 4-9 for the best long-term success.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions enhances the appeal and cultural uniformity of a planting scheme with Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’. Since these Coral bells thrive in medium moisture and partial shade, pair them with other shade-loving perennials such as Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ for contrasting leaf shape, or Hosta varieties with deep green or blue foliage.
For textural contrast, incorporate fine-textured groundcovers or taller plants like Astilbe, which shares similar moisture requirements without competing aggressively for root space. Grouping Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ with plants that prefer slightly acidic soil conditions will simplify soil amendments and watering routines across the entire grouping.
Design Ideas
The dwarf, clumping nature of Heuchera ‘Strawberry Candy’ lends itself perfectly to container gardening, especially when paired with an upright element like a small ornamental grass or trailing ivy. Ensure containers have excellent drainage to accommodate the needs of this Saxifragaceae family member.
In border designs, use the plant to transition between the cool shadows of an understory tree and the brighter edges of a path. Its light-colored, mottled foliage brilliantly catches and reflects limited light, brightening dark corners of the garden where other features look muddy or washed out.
