19 Easy to Grow Coral Bells for Colorful Gardens

Easy to grow Coral Bells are versatile perennials. They can make your garden look spectacular! Coral Bells are grown not only for their dainty bell shaped flowers but their striking colorful foliage.  

Easy to grow Coral Bells are sometimes called Heuchera or Alumroot. Coral Bells offer gardeners another option for adding dramatic color to their gardens. A versatile and mostly evergreen perennial. Foliage color choices include purple, burgundy, chartreuse, gold, bronze, grays, and silver. Some foliage leaves can be large heart-shaped or rounded leaves and many with variegated patterns. This is what is so appealing about these plants. A few Coral Bells varieties can be planted in full Sun in some locations.    

Low growing Coral Bells with its mounding habit, is ideal for growing in containers. Coral Bells has many uses in the ground as well. And that is what makes them an excellent choice for a groundcover or as an edger along a garden pathway. They are striking when planted in mass. Coral Bells can be grown on slopes to help with soil erosion.

A groundcover, erosion control, and beautify your garden with Coral Bells. And they deliver unique foliage textures and colors.

Benefits of Easy to Grow Coral Bells

Easy to grow Coral Bells is a low maintenance and North American native plant. Many varieties deliver dainty, showy bell-shaped flowers. The flowers attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Which is great for our wildlife friends! Floral airy stems can be used as cut flowers in floral arrangements.

Soil Conditions of Easy to Grow Coral Bells

Plant Coral Bells in average to rich, well-draining soil. They dislike sitting in wet soil. Although some Coral Bells do grow well in clay soils, they don’t like to be too wet. Some clay soils can prevent water from draining away from a plant’s root system. Moist soil is fine but wet soil is not good.

Light Requirements of Easy to Grow Coral Bells

Coral Bells thrive in a wide range of sunlight conditions. Some Coral Bells like part to full shade while others tolerate full Sun in cooler locations. A few Coral Bells tolerate most sunlight conditions such as full shade, part Sun and part shade to full Sun.

As an example, Dolce (sweet) Heucheras the Cherry Truffles and Blackberry Ice varieties grow in zones 4 to 9. They tolerate full shade to full Sun conditions. However, in the southern parts of the country where temperatures are high with intense Sunlight, proceed carefully. Check the growers sunlight requirements for that particular variety. It might be wise to slowly introduce a new Coral Bells plant to the high temperatures. Monitor the amount of sunlight the plant can withstand. If the sun is too intense and you may notice some leaf scorching. You will need to take action to protect the plant. This will give you the opportunity to relocate the plant if you find it necessary to.

Add Mulch

After planting Coral Bells, add mulch to the base of the plant. This will protect the roots over the Winter months. And over the Summer months, mulch keeps the soil around the roots moist.

Blooming Period

Some Coral Bells begin to bloom as early as late Spring. Others bloom over the Summer. And a few will bloom into the Fall. As an example, Fire Chief Heuchera blooms from midSummer to early Fall. It is good thing to have garden plants that bloom over a wide range of times. Garden blooms in Spring and in the Fall are beneficial to our pollinators. Especially, plants that hummingbirds are so fond of.   

It is also recommended that Coral Bells be deadheaded. Deadheading is the removal of spent blooms. This is beneficial to the plant and promotes a second wave of blooming.

Some Varieties of Easy to Grow Coral Bells

As you can imagine there are many varieties of Coral Bells. Available in many textures and colors. Many are evergreen plants. We’ve rounded up 19 easy to grow Coral Bells that can take your average garden to spectacular. Take a look at these small wonders. And be sure to let us know what you think.    

Part Sun and part shade to Full Shade 

1. Berry Smoothie Coral Bells

Berry Smoothie Coral Bells has textured 5 inch rose pink leaves. The intense foliage color lasts the Summer season. Light pink bell-shaped flowers appear over rose pink foliage from June to July. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Reaching 18 to 28 inches tall with an 18 inch spread. The perennial can be grown in containers or in borders and along pathways. A beautiful jolt of color that is tolerant of humidity, heat and cold temperatures. And will withstand drought conditions. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.  

2. Peppermint Ice Coral Bells

Peppermint Ice Coral Bells has striking green and silver foliage. Blooms in late Spring and Summer. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Reaches 8 to 14 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 20 inches wide. A deer resistant perennial that is tolerant of drought conditions. Plant in garden beds and borders or in containers.  

3. Citronelle Heuchera

Citronelle Heuchera has lime green foliage. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in part Sun and part Shade to full shade. Reaches 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Summer blooming. Resistant to cold temperatures. Plant Citronelle as groundcover or in garden border and beds. Deer resistant and thrives with little care.  

4. Obsidian Heuchera  

Obsidian Heuchera has dark purple almost black foliage. Crowned with creamy-white airy panicles. Blooms appear in late Spring to early Summer on slender 20 to 24 inch stems. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Topping out at 8 to 10 inches with a spread of 12 to 16 inches wide. Summer blooming Obsidian is tolerant of cold temperatures. Plant in garden beds and borders. Darken foliage adds depth and dimension to perennial beds. Likes rich, humusy, moist soil.  

5. Sugar Frosting Coral Bells

Sugar Frosting Coral Bells has burgundy with silver foliage. Blooms in late Spring through Summer. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Tops out at 8 to 14 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 20 inches wide. Drought tolerant and deer resistant. Plant in garden beds and borders. Or enjoy growing Sugar Frosting in containers.  

6. Dolce Wildberry Coral Bells

Dolce Wildberry Coral Bells has has large scalloped glossy purple foliage. Veins are a charcoal color. Dark stems of rosy pink and white blooms appear from early to midSummer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Tops out between 10 and 14 inches with a spread of 26 to 28 inches wide. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer resistant and native to North America. Plant in garden borders, containers, or in the landscape. Thrives in part shade but will grow in full shade. Plant in humus-rich, well-drained soil. Trim back tattered foliage in early spring. Salt tolerant.  

7. Forever Purple Heuchera  

Forever Purple Heuchera blooms are magenta, burgundy and purple which hummingbirds just adore! Foliage color is a blend of blue, burgundy, and purple. Rich royal vivid blooms arrive in mid Spring until late Summer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Reaches 12 to 15 inches tall with a spread of 16 to 22 inches wide. Loves rich, organic, moist soil. Resistant to disease. Tolerant to heat, humidity, and drought conditions. Forever Purple can be planted as a groundcover, used in container gardening or in garden beds. Striking Fall color that delivers strong Winter garden interest.

8. Lime Ruffles Heuchera

Lime Ruffles Heuchera has vibrant neon green color foliage. Leaves are bigger, brighter with deep lime green ruffles. Part of the Ruffles series – a cross between ‘Lime Rickey’ and ‘Lime Marmalade’. Mounding growth habit. Delicate pink blooms appear in late Spring to early Summer. White flowers and foliage light green to yellow. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Reaches 11 inches tall with spread of 18 inches. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Tolerant to heat, humidity, and drought conditions. Use Lime Ruffles as a groundcover or plant in containers.

9. Red Lightning Heuchera  

Red Lightning Heuchera has scarlet streaks against golden leaves. Evergreen Red Lightning has crimson veins that highlight brilliant golden lime leaves. Only to be complimented by little dainty, white flowers over the Summer months. Blooms early to late Summer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. Tops out at 11 inches with a spread of 16 inches wide. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Tolerant to heat, humidity, and drought conditions. Use Red Lightning as a groundcover or plant in containers. Easy to maintain and has pollinator attractive blooms. Year long foliage interest even over the bare Winter months.      

10. Stainless Steel Heuchera  

Stainless Steel Heuchera has luminous foliage that emerges in glistening silver with light purple veining. Undersides are an eggplant purple! As Stainless Steel matures, foliage becomes a pale seafoam green with subtle purple patina. Pink buds open to white showy flowers. They appear in late Spring to early Summer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full shade. To achieve the best silver tones, grow in part to full shade. Reaches between 8 and 12 inches tall. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. An evergreen perennial that can be used as an edger, in containers, and blooms for floral arrangements. Shade, heat, and humidity tolerant. The incredibly, gorgeous Stainless Steel Heuchera is bred by Charles and Martha Oliver of The Primrose Path in Scottdale, PA.   

Part Sun and Part Shade – Coral Bells

11. Grape Expectations Heuchera  

Grape Expectations Heuchera has vibrant grape-purple foliage with creamy white floral spikes. The topped white spikes appear on long purple stems. Summer to Fall blooming. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part Shade. Reaches 10 to 12 inches tall with a 20 to 24 inch wide spread. Plant in garden beds and borders. An easy to grow Coral Bells that can be grown in containers on your porch.     

Full Sun to Part Sun and part shade – Coral Bells 

12. Caramel Coral Bells

Caramel Coral Bells has glowing caramel-orange foliage with creamy foliage and rosy brown sugar highlights. Leaves are variegated brown heart shaped. Flowers are cream color with foliage of brown and yellow. Blooms appear on wispy stems in early Summer. Grows in zones 3 to 9 in full Sun to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 12 to 16 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches wide. Attract hummingbirds. Tolerant to heat, humidity, and cold conditions. Use Caramel as a groundcover, rock gardens, or along garden pathways. Can be planted in containers.

13. Ginger Ale Heuchera   

Ginger Ale Heuchera has ginger yellow and pink leaves with ginger yellow blooms on wiry stems. Yellow blooms occur between late Spring to midSummer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 6 to 9 inches tall. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. An evergreen perennial that can be grown as an edger or in containers. Stunningly beautiful Ginger Ale was developed in Oregon at Terra Nova by Dan Heims.

14. Shanghai Heuchera   

Shanghai Heuchera has silvery-purple foliage that provides a lustrous glow in the garden. Dainty white blooms on dark stems appear in early to late Summer. Blooms can be used in floral arrangements. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full Sun. Tops out at 10 inches. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in containers. An evergreen perennial that provides Winter interest to the garden. Mesmerizing Shanghai Heuchera was developed in Oregon at Terra Nova by Dan Heims. 

Full Sun to most shady – Coral Bells 

15. Glitter Heuchera    

Glitter Heuchera has polished silver foliage that glistens on tidy mounds. Foliage has black veins with sprays of fuchsia pink flowers over the mirror like foliage. Pink blooms appear in late Spring to early Summer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to mostly shady garden areas. Reaches 10 inches tall. An evergreen perennial that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Use flowers in a floral arrangement. Plant Glitter in containers. Shade tolerant. Another delightful Heuchera, Glitter was developed in Oregon at Terra Nova by Dan Heims.  

Full Sun to Part Sun and Part shade to Full Shade – Coral Bells 

16. Fire Chief Heuchera  

Fire Chief Heuchera has deep fire truck red foliage year around. Leaves are broad, fan-like in all shades of red. Deep red colors remain until Winter. Over the Winter months, leaves are muted brownish red color. Remove any old foliage in Spring to promote new foliage growth. Tiny white and pastel pink blooms appear from midSummer to early Fall.

Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to part Sun and shade to full shade. Tops out at 9 inches with a spread of 15 inches. In Southern climates plant in a part Sunny area with regular waterings. Over the hottest months this will prevent scorched leave burns during the intensely hot Summer days. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to downy mildew, disease, and pests. Tolerant of heat, humidity, and cold hardy. Plant in containers, garden beds, or along garden pathways. Delivers interest over the Winter garden.

17. Wild Rose Heuchera  

Wild Rose Heuchera has mounds of black and purple foliage. Foliage has deep gray veining. Blooms of tiny rosy pink bells appear in midSummer.  Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to part Sun and part shade to full shade. Reaches 8 to 10 inches tall with an 18 to 20 inch spread. Soil conditions? Wild Rose is content in a wide range of soils, but prefers a slightly acidic soil. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer resistant Wild Rose is a larger and faster growing Heuchera. Grow in containers or plant along garden borders.

  18. Dolce Cherry Truffles Heuchera

Dolce Cherry Truffles Heuchera has vibrant red and mahogany colors. Ruffly texture, Cherry Truffles emerges in bright red hues that mature to a rich mahogany over Summer. Airy light pink flowers on tall burgundy stems appear in midSummer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun, part Sun and part shade, or full shade. Tops out at 10 to 18 inches with a spread of 26 to 30 inches wide. Summer blooming perennial that can be used in garden beds or borders. Blooms can be used as cut flowers. And can be planted in containers.

19. Dolce Blackberry Ice Heuchera

Dolce Blackberry Ice Heuchera has prominent dark veins that highlight iridescent plum-purple foliage. Undersides are wine purple that add another layer of intrigue. Icy pewter overlay frosts the mature foliage. As Blackberry Ice matures, green tones begin to mix with the purple tones for a tapestry effect. Creamy white blooms appear from early to midSummer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to part Sun and part shade to full shade. Tops out at 8 to 12 inches with spread of 12 to 16 inches. Drought and shade tolerant. Attracts butterflies, birds and hummingbirds. Deer resistant and native to North America, Blackberry Ice is an evergreen perennial. Plant in containers or in landscape beds. Tolerant of heat and humidity. 

These are 19 Easy to Grow Coral Bells for Colorful Gardens that can make your garden look spectacular. They are many more varieties to select from. Why choose Coral Bells? Choose Coral Bells to help add rich color to your average garden. To control erosion of important topsoil, organic materials, and mulch. To provide nectar to your neighborhood wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds.   

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If you try these 19 Easy to Grow Coral Bells for Colorful Gardens let us know how you make out. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We always are ready to help you out. Thank you for visiting.