Coral bells (Heuchera 'Mocha')
Heuchera 'Mocha' Coral bells offers striking, nearly black chocolate-brown foliage with white summer blooms. Grow in zones 4-8.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Heuchera ‘Mocha’, an outstanding cultivar of Coral bells, is highly prized for its exceptionally dark foliage color that sets it apart in the garden palette. This selection develops rounded, lobed leaves that start as rich chocolate brown and deepen to near black when exposed to consistent summer sun. As a vigorous, clump-forming perennial, it offers sustained ornamental impact from spring through fall.
This variety is cherished for providing rich, deep tones that contrast beautifully with brighter green or silver plantings. While the foliage is the main attraction, Heuchera ‘Mocha’ also presents delicate spires of tiny white flowers in mid to late summer. Understanding the cultural nuances for this Coral bells hybrid ensures the foliage remains dark and vibrant throughout the growing season.
Gardeners looking for robust, relatively low-maintenance perennials will appreciate the value of Heuchera ‘Mocha’. It brings both texture and unparalleled dark color, functioning well as an edging plant or massed for dramatic effect in mixed borders and woodland gardens.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Heucheras are best planted in organically rich, humusy, medium-moisture soils that are well-drained. While the parentage of Heuchera ‘Mocha’ dictates some cultural needs, generally, these Coral bells perform best with light afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. If planting in full sun, especially in northern zones, consistent moisture is imperative to prevent leaf scorch and foliage decline.
Watering should remain consistent, aiming for medium moisture levels without allowing the soil to become waterlogged or completely dry out. For those planting Heuchera ‘Mocha’ in sunnier spots, be vigilant about irrigation throughout summer heat waves. Minimal feeding is usually required; enriching the soil with compost annually is often sufficient.
To encourage continued performance, remove the flower stems after they fade to redirect the plant’s energy back into foliage production. In cold regions, apply a compost mulch after the ground freezes to help prevent winter root heaving. Divide clumps of your established Coral bells every three to four years in the spring to maintain vigor and spread.
Landscape Uses
Coral bells like Heuchera ‘Mocha’ are exceptionally versatile, lending depth and structure to shaded and partly shaded garden areas. Their compact mounds of dark foliage make them effective as formal edgers framing pathways or defining the front of a mixed perennial border. Massing several Heuchera ‘Mocha’ plants creates a powerful sweep of near-black color that serves as a strong anchor point in the design.
These plants integrate seamlessly into rock gardens or open woodland garden settings where dappled light filters through canopy trees. Consider pairing the intense chocolate-brown of Heuchera ‘Mocha’ with light-colored companions such as silver mounds of Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) or bright chartreuse hostas to maximize the contrast.
For container displays, this cultivar works well as a “thriller” or “spiller” element, providing year-round dark structure that supports brighter annuals planted alongside. Ensure any companions share the need for medium moisture and well-drained soil for collective success.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Heuchera, commonly called coral bells or alumroot, includes about 55 species of evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials native to North America. The genus features incredible hybrid diversity, with leaves often displaying streaked, mottled, or marbled variegation in shades from green to bronze to silver-black. Heuchera ‘Mocha’ is distinguished by its vigorous, clump-forming habit and unusual chocolate brown leaves that deepen to near black in the summer sun, topped by spires of tiny white flowers.
Tolerances
- Reportedly has good resistance to powdery mildew
Potential Problems
Frost heaving of roots can be a concern when soil moisture freezes and thaws repeatedly during winter, especially in climates with fluctuating temperatures. Management involves applying a winter compost mulch only after the ground has frozen solid to stabilize soil temperatures. Potential disease issues include rust and bacterial leaf spot, necessitating good air circulation and keeping foliage dry during overhead watering when possible. Insect pests are generally minor, although occasional issues with weevils or foliar nematodes may arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Coral bells suitable for?
Heuchera ‘Mocha’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Heuchera ‘Mocha’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 1 to 1.5 feet and spreads to occupy an area approximately 0.75 to 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Coral bells need?
Heuchera ‘Mocha’ performs well in full sun to part shade; however, afternoon shade is recommended in very hot southern locations to maintain pristine foliage color.
When does Coral bells bloom?
This variety of Coral bells produces its small white flowers on spikes from July through September.
Conclusion
Heuchera ‘Mocha’ offers exceptional value to the landscape through its dense, year-round foliage that transitions into deep, nearly black hues under summer light. This cultivar of Coral bells provides dynamic contrast unmatched by many other perennials. Before planting, confirm your site offers the medium moisture and rich, well-drained soil necessary for this plant to thrive.
Companion Planting
Choosing appropriate companions is key to highlighting the dark foliage of Heuchera ‘Mocha’. Look for plants that thrive in similar part-shade conditions with medium water needs. Bright chartreuse foliage partners exceptionally well, such as Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) or certain varieties of Hosta, which make the dark brown/black of the Coral bells population pop visually.
Avoid planting near aggressive spreaders that might crowd the relatively compact mound of the Heuchera. The fine, airy texture of Astilbes or certain ferns provides a beautiful textural contrast beneath the bolder, rounded leaves of Heuchera ‘Mocha’.
Design Ideas
For shaded patios or entryways, use Heuchera ‘Mocha’ as a reliable thriller in large containers, placing it centrally to anchor the arrangement. In border designs, use it in drifts of three or five plants rather than singly to maximize the visual impact of its deep color block.
Along winding walkways, planting a low, continuous line of these Coral bells creates a dark, permanent border that requires minimal seasonal interruption, fulfilling the suggested use as an effective edger. Ensure the soil depth is adequate to support the root structure required for evergreen performance in warmer climates.
