Coral bells (Heuchera 'Coco')

Overview

Heuchera ‘Coco’, commonly known as Coral bells, is a stunning herbaceous perennial prized for its rich, year-round foliage color. This specific cultivar showcases deep, rounded leaves described as dark chocolate to almost black, providing excellent contrast in shaded garden beds or borders. As a valuable addition to the modern garden, Heuchera ‘Coco’ maintains its visual impact throughout the growing season, especially in warmer climates where its leaves remain semi-evergreen.

Originating from hybridization efforts, this plant offers more than just foliage; it produces delicate yet appealing pink, bell-shaped flowers. These airy blooms appear on slender scapes rising above the mounding plant over the summer months. Gardeners appreciate the relatively compact size of Heuchera ‘Coco’, making it versatile for smaller spaces, rock gardens, or edging applications.

The success of Coral bells hinges largely on appropriate siting, balancing the need for light to enhance color development against protection from harsh afternoon sun. Achieving the right balance ensures vibrant foliage and consistent blooming for this low-mounding perennial treasure.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.5-1 ft
  • Spread: 0.5-1 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 Heuchera ‘Coco’ is best achieved when aiming for organically rich, humusy, and well-drained soil. While these Coral bells can tolerate full sun, particularly in cooler northern climates, gardeners in hotter southern regions should ensure afternoon shade to prevent scorching and foliage decline. Consistent, medium moisture is crucial, especially when the plant is situated in brighter light conditions; allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, but never completely.

Maintenance for Heuchera ‘Coco’ is generally moderate. Pruning involves removing the spent flower stems (scapes) after blooming ceases to encourage potential repeat flowering throughout the summer and into early fall. Foliage generally stays attractive all year, though its winter appearance depends on winter severity; a compost mulch applied after the ground freezes helps prevent root heaving in cold regions.

To rejuvenate established clumps and maintain vigor, plan to divide the roots every three to four years during the spring. Gardeners should be aware that while species plants can be grown from seed, successful multiplication of hybrid cultivars like Heuchera ‘Coco’ is achieved through division.

Landscape Uses

Coral bells provide textural contrast and low-growing color, making them exceptionally useful along garden paths or as formal edgers where their compact mound shape defines space. Heuchera ‘Coco’ excels when massed together, allowing the dark chocolate foliage to create a rich, unified carpet effect beneath taller shrubs or perennials.

These plants are fantastic candidates for rock gardens, lending structure and depth among the stones, or for softening the edges of woodland-inspired borders. Due to their manageable height of under one foot, they fit perfectly into the front row of mixed perennial beds, complementing lighter green hosts or silver-leafed companions.

Consider pairing the intense dark tones of Heuchera ‘Coco’ with bright chartreuse Hakonechloa grass, bright red Geraniums, or white-flowering Astilbes for dramatic color interplay throughout the season.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Heuchera, commonly called coral bells or alumroot, is a genus featuring about 55 evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials native to North America. The leaves of hybrid plants like Heuchera ‘Coco’ display an expanded range of colors, often featuring intriguing variegation. Specifically, ‘Coco’ offers rounded, lobed leaves of dark chocolate that retain quality color through the season, complemented by tiny, airy pink flowers blooming from late spring onward.

Potential Problems

Frost heaving of roots can occur if winter temperatures fluctuate widely, making winter mulching important. Watch for potential disease issues such as powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot. Potential insect pests include weevils and foliar nematodes, though these are usually manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Coral bells suitable for?

Heuchera ‘Coco’ is quite durable, suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 9.

How large does Heuchera ‘Coco’ grow?

This cultivar typically forms a foliage mound reaching 0.5 to 1 foot in height and spreading between 0.5 and 1 foot wide.

What sun exposure does Heuchera ‘Coco’ need?

It thrives in full sun to part shade; ensure afternoon shade in hotter regions, and consistent moisture if grown in full sun.

When does Coral bells bloom?

Heuchera ‘Coco’ produces pink flowers beginning in June and continuing through July.

Conclusion

The rich, deep foliage color provided by Heuchera ‘Coco’ makes it an indispensable choice for adding structure and year-round interest to perennial plantings. Its dark leaves contrast beautifully with seasonal flowers, firmly establishing this cultivar as a premier groundcover or edging plant. Before planting, confirm your garden conditions match its need for well-drained soil and plan for afternoon shade in hotter zones to keep these Coral bells looking their best.

Companion Planting

Choosing companions whose cultural needs align with Heuchera ‘Coco’ simplifies garden care significantly. Since this plant prefers a slightly shaded, moist, humus-rich environment, pairing it with other woodland edge dwellers is ideal. Consider plants that enjoy similar conditions, such as Hosta varieties with bright green or variegated leaves to highlight the dark foliage of the Coral bells.

Large-leaved woodland plants create a beautiful textural contrast against the mounding form of Heuchera ‘Coco’. Ferns, especially Japanese Painted Ferns or Tassel Ferns, thrive in similar light and moisture levels and offer airy texture that softens the appearance of the ground plane.

For seasonal color interest, aim for early spring bulbs that bloom before the Heuchera is fully established, fading gently as the Coral bells take center stage during the summer months. Always ensure companions are not aggressive spreaders, which could compete with the relatively moderate root system of the perennial.

Propagation Tips

Since Heuchera ‘Coco’ is a patented hybrid, propagation is primarily intended for propagation rights holders, but home gardeners can easily increase their stock through division. This process should occur in the spring before new growth actively begins or immediately after the main flush of summer blooming concludes.

To divide, gently lift the entire clump from the soil using a sharp spade or garden fork, taking care to minimize root disturbance. Once lifted, gently tease apart the crown into smaller sections, ensuring each division has adequate roots and at least one healthy growth node.

Replant the divisions immediately into prepared beds, setting them at the same soil level they previously occupied. Water thoroughly after division to settle the soil around the new roots, providing light shade for a week or two to ease transplant shock.