Flowers and Plants
Gardening Guides
Heuchera Villosa Stands Heat and Humidity in a Shady Garden
This Appalachian native provides long-lasting foliage and has a lot of colorful cultivars
There are over 35 species in the genus Heuchera, all of which are native to North America. These clump-forming perennials vary in flower color, leaf size and color and habitat preference. Hairy alumroot (Heuchera villosa) is among the more versatile members of the genus. This native of the southern Appalachian Mountains features relatively large leaves in shades ranging from bright green to violet as well as attractive flowers, and it tolerates a range of growing conditions. It can be used in small clumps in combination with other plants or en masse as a nearly evergreen ground cover for partially shady locations.
Cultivar ‘Autumn Bride’ alumroot features light green foliage and white flowers.
Mature size: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide; spiky flower panicles can extend a foot or more above the foliage
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates high heat and humidity; fairly drought-tolerant, though not appropriate for consistently dry soils; appears on many lists for deer resistance, though in my gardens deer do occasionally browse on the foliage
Seasonal interest: Bright green to purple foliage is evergreen in mild winters; whitish flowers appear on the ends of foot-long stalks in late summer into early fall
When to plant: Spring or fall is best for container-grown plants, but they can go in throughout the growing season if sufficient moisture is provided; start seeds in fall.
Mature size: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide; spiky flower panicles can extend a foot or more above the foliage
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates high heat and humidity; fairly drought-tolerant, though not appropriate for consistently dry soils; appears on many lists for deer resistance, though in my gardens deer do occasionally browse on the foliage
Seasonal interest: Bright green to purple foliage is evergreen in mild winters; whitish flowers appear on the ends of foot-long stalks in late summer into early fall
When to plant: Spring or fall is best for container-grown plants, but they can go in throughout the growing season if sufficient moisture is provided; start seeds in fall.
A closer view of the flower panicle from H. villosa f. atropurpurea
Distinguishing traits. Hairy alumroot features maple-like leaves that are 2 to 6 inches across on stems emanating from a central crown. The leaves and stems are covered in bristly hairs. While the foliage color can vary from plant to plant within the species, the leaves on an individual plant tend to be a solid, consistent color.
This species is probably the latest-blooming of the native heucheras. Small white to pink flowers appear on erect stems in late summer to early fall.
Hairy alumroot is more adapted to the high heat and humidity of the American South than other heucheras. It is often included in breeding programs for that reason.
Distinguishing traits. Hairy alumroot features maple-like leaves that are 2 to 6 inches across on stems emanating from a central crown. The leaves and stems are covered in bristly hairs. While the foliage color can vary from plant to plant within the species, the leaves on an individual plant tend to be a solid, consistent color.
This species is probably the latest-blooming of the native heucheras. Small white to pink flowers appear on erect stems in late summer to early fall.
Hairy alumroot is more adapted to the high heat and humidity of the American South than other heucheras. It is often included in breeding programs for that reason.
This bed under a crabapple tree consists of seed-grown hairy alumroot, originally labeled H. villosa f. atropurpurea. You can see the variation within the species.
How to use it. When planted in masses, with the plants spaced a foot or less apart, hairy alumroot can form a weed-suppressive ground cover. As a relatively low-growing, clump-forming plant, it can be used along pathways to define the edge. In garden beds it works as a filler for open spaces between larger perennials and shrubs.
Its shallow root system and clumping habit make it a good companion for spring bulbs. Rock gardens are an ideal location for hairy alumroot, as it is well-adapted to rocky soils and crevices.
How to use it. When planted in masses, with the plants spaced a foot or less apart, hairy alumroot can form a weed-suppressive ground cover. As a relatively low-growing, clump-forming plant, it can be used along pathways to define the edge. In garden beds it works as a filler for open spaces between larger perennials and shrubs.
Its shallow root system and clumping habit make it a good companion for spring bulbs. Rock gardens are an ideal location for hairy alumroot, as it is well-adapted to rocky soils and crevices.
‘Autumn Bride’ alumroot in winter
Planting notes. The clumps of hairy alumroot expand over time but do not spread out by rhizomes or stolons. After three to five years, the plants may need to be taken up in the spring and replanted more deeply in the soil, as they tend to grow out of the soil over time. Adding a layer of compost or organic mulch annually can help keep them well-buried. Top-dressing with compost in the spring will feed the plants and help to keep the crown (caudex) covered and well-rooted.
You can get more plants by carefully dividing clumps in early spring — make sure that each piece you replant has some roots already formed. You can also get more plants by allowing them to reseed. Heucheras are not self-fertile, so you will need two genetically different individuals (two wild-type plants or two cultivars) to get viable seed. This cross-pollination leads to some interesting offspring.
New plants can also be started by sowing seeds indoors under lights. Sow the seeds on the surface of a moist starting mix after they have been given a month of cold, moist stratification (seeds need light to germinate).
Planting notes. The clumps of hairy alumroot expand over time but do not spread out by rhizomes or stolons. After three to five years, the plants may need to be taken up in the spring and replanted more deeply in the soil, as they tend to grow out of the soil over time. Adding a layer of compost or organic mulch annually can help keep them well-buried. Top-dressing with compost in the spring will feed the plants and help to keep the crown (caudex) covered and well-rooted.
You can get more plants by carefully dividing clumps in early spring — make sure that each piece you replant has some roots already formed. You can also get more plants by allowing them to reseed. Heucheras are not self-fertile, so you will need two genetically different individuals (two wild-type plants or two cultivars) to get viable seed. This cross-pollination leads to some interesting offspring.
New plants can also be started by sowing seeds indoors under lights. Sow the seeds on the surface of a moist starting mix after they have been given a month of cold, moist stratification (seeds need light to germinate).
A clump of H. ‘Citronelle’ grows next to two newly planted H. villosa f. atropurpurea plants.
There is a great variety of alumroot, also known as coral bells, in the nursery trade. This is due in part to the relative ease of cross-pollination within the genus. This allows plant breeders to blend their characteristics and come up with some unique foliage color combinations, as well as improved tolerances for a range of environmental conditions. Hairy alumroot is one of the species that breeders go to for purple coloration, large leaves and good tolerance of heat and humidity. Many of the popular heuchera cultivars contain a large portion of H. villosa DNA.
You can get wild-type plants from some native-plant nurseries or grow them from seed. In retail nurseries you can find cultivars that either are natural selections or contain a large portion of H. villosa in their genetic makeup. ‘Autumn Bride’ is a wild-selected cultivar featuring large fuzzy bright green leaves.
For purple-toned foliage look to H. villosa f. atropurpurea for the native form. This form has red-tinged green on the top of the leaf and definite violet tones underneath. The cultivar ’Bronze Wave’ was bred using this form. Other popular cultivars containing a lot of H. villosa are ‘Caramel’, with reddish-bronze foliage, and ‘Citronelle’, a sport of ‘Caramel’ with chartreuse leaves.
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There is a great variety of alumroot, also known as coral bells, in the nursery trade. This is due in part to the relative ease of cross-pollination within the genus. This allows plant breeders to blend their characteristics and come up with some unique foliage color combinations, as well as improved tolerances for a range of environmental conditions. Hairy alumroot is one of the species that breeders go to for purple coloration, large leaves and good tolerance of heat and humidity. Many of the popular heuchera cultivars contain a large portion of H. villosa DNA.
You can get wild-type plants from some native-plant nurseries or grow them from seed. In retail nurseries you can find cultivars that either are natural selections or contain a large portion of H. villosa in their genetic makeup. ‘Autumn Bride’ is a wild-selected cultivar featuring large fuzzy bright green leaves.
For purple-toned foliage look to H. villosa f. atropurpurea for the native form. This form has red-tinged green on the top of the leaf and definite violet tones underneath. The cultivar ’Bronze Wave’ was bred using this form. Other popular cultivars containing a lot of H. villosa are ‘Caramel’, with reddish-bronze foliage, and ‘Citronelle’, a sport of ‘Caramel’ with chartreuse leaves.
More
Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery
Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
6 Native Ground Covers for Tough, Dry Spots
Botanical name: Heuchera villosa
Common names: Hairy alumroot, mapleleaf alumroot
Origin: Native from New York to northern Alabama in the east and west to Arkansas and Missouri; usually found in higher-elevation areas in the South
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone). It’s found on moist, shaded cliffs and in drier, open environments.
Water requirement: Prefers moist, rich soils; tolerates drier conditions once established
Light requirement: Partial sun; tolerates full sun in cooler climates if supplied with consistent moisture