Coral bells (Heuchera 'Sparkling Burgundy')
Heuchera 'Sparkling Burgundy' coral bells offer vigorous, lobed burgundy foliage with a silver-pink veil through summer.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’, or coral bells, is a stunning herbaceous perennial prized primarily for its dramatic, colorful foliage. This cultivar forms a dense, basal mound of large, lobed leaves displaying deep burgundy tones often overlaid with a silver-pink veil. While the foliage provides season-long interest, Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ also produces airy sprays of tiny white flowers in early summer on slender stems that rise above the mound. It offers reliable performance in the landscape, providing year-round color where winters are mild, making it an excellent choice for adding deep hue to shaded borders.
The successful cultivation of this vibrant coral bells variety hinges on providing the right cultural conditions. Like most hybrids, its optimum sun exposure is location-dependent; northern growers can risk more sun, but afternoon shade protects the leaves in hotter climates. Consistent moisture is critical, especially in full sun, to prevent foliage scorch or decline. Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ is a vigorous selection deserving of prominent placement in perennial beds.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ should be done when soils are workable, preferably in spring or early fall. These coral bells thrive best in organically rich, humusy, medium-moisture soils that are exceptionally well-drained. Ensure the site accommodates the variety’s culture; while some sun promotes the best leaf color for Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’, afternoon shade is essential in hotter regions to prevent leaf scorch. If planting in full sun, you must commit to consistent watering to keep the soil from ever drying out completely.
Routine care involves maintaining even soil moisture, especially during dry spells, as consistent moisture is vital for foliage health. If faded flower stems appear after the main show, remove them to encourage any potential rebloom. In cold winter climates, apply a compost mulch once the ground freezes solid; this layer prevents potentially damaging root heaving caused by fluctuating winter temperatures.
To keep clumps vigorous and maintain their shape, plan to divide Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ every three to four years during the springtime. This perennial is generally long-lived but benefits significantly from rejuvenation through division every few seasons.
Landscape Uses
The deep, consistent color provided by Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ makes it invaluable for mass plantings or grouping to create strong bands of color. This cultivar excels at the front of perennial borders, where its texture and rich burgundy hues contrast beautifully with lighter greens or silver foliage plants. It is also highly effective as a tidy edger along walkways or paths, providing year-round structure.
Consider using Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ in rock gardens where sharp drainage is naturally provided, or incorporate it into open woodland garden designs where dappled light mimics its native habitat. The dark foliage serves as a dramatic foil for spring-blooming bulbs or light-colored annuals, creating dynamic visual interest throughout the growing season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Heuchera, commonly called coral bells or alumroot, is native to North America and offers a genus filled with evergreen to semi-evergreen perennials. The leaves of hybrid plants like Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ boast an expanded spectrum of colors, often featuring bold variegation, though this particular one showcases uniform, unruffled burgundy leaves with a silver-pink veil atop gray-purple undersides. This specific cultivar is patented, known for its vigorous clumping habit and foliage mound reaching 12 inches tall, sending flower spikes aloft up to 20 inches.
Tolerances
- Reportedly has resistance to powdery mildew
Potential Problems
Frost heaving is a risk if winter temperatures fluctuate widely, necessitating winter mulch application after the ground freezes. Disease potential includes powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot—using well-drained soil and avoiding overhead watering can mitigate fungal issues. Watch for insect pests such as weevils and foliar nematodes, practicing good sanitation to keep the area clean. Fortunately, Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ reportedly possesses resistance to powdery mildew, simplifying management compared to less hardy varieties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Coral bells suitable for?
Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ is hardy across USDA Zones 4-9, offering flexibility for many North American gardens.
How large does Coral bells grow?
This variety typically reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 feet with a spread ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet, forming an appealing basal mound.
What sun exposure does Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ need?
It performs best in full sun to part shade conditions, requiring afternoon shade protection outside of cooler northern climates.
When does Coral bells bloom?
Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ produces small white flowers blooming between June and July.
Conclusion
Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ is a standout selection for gardeners seeking saturated color and reliable performance in perennial borders or shaded spots. The intense burgundy foliage of this coral bells cultivar offers season-long contrast unmatched by many others. Before planting, confirm you can meet its requirement for well-drained soil and consistent moisture, especially if situating it in brighter exposures.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions with contrasting foliage textures or bloom times enhances the visual impact of Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’. Pair it with fine-textured plants like ornamental grasses (e.g., Hakonechloa) or ferns, which thrive in similar partial shade conditions. For areas receiving more sun, consider pairing the deep purple foliage with light-colored hostas or vibrant silver artemisias to amplify the color contrast in your perennial beds. The relatively low profile of this coral bells cultivar makes it an excellent transitional plant between groundcovers and taller shrubs.
Design Ideas
Use Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ liberally along the edge of dark mulch paths; the intense leaf color pops vibrantly against a deep background. In container gardening, plant them as the “thriller” or “spiller” element, combining them with trailing ivies or upright, chartreuse foliage plants like small Hakone grass varieties for year-round appeal. Consider its use in monochromatic plantings where the silver-pink veil contrasting with the deep burgundy plays subtly off surrounding maroon and black-leafed plants.
