Heucherella ground cover, very similar to Heuchera, are evergreen to semi-evergreen except in very harsh winters when their leaves and foliage die back closer to ground level although fresh new foliage will emerge the following Spring. Most prefer dappled or semi-shaded locations, though as a rule the darker varieties will withstand more direct sunlight than the paler/lighter varieties, but all require moist but well-drained soil until established, when they will tolerate drier soil. They will not thrive in soil that becomes waterlogged so add grit and well-rotted garden compost or similar to clay soils before planting. To maintain them simply cut back any tatty or brown foliage from the previous year in early Spring and divide any clumps that become congested in early Spring or late Autumn.
As a rough guide when planting Heucherella as ground cover – 4 plants per square metre is adequate with a little patience, 6 will give better coverage, and 9-12 will make a weed supressing carpet very quickly.
How to grow Heucherella
Position: Full Sun/partial shade
Foliage: Semi-evergreen, palmate shaped leaves may die back in Winter but reappear from Spring
Soil and site: Fertile, moisture retaining & well drained
Flowering time: Late Spring through to mid-late Summer
Growth rate: Moderate
Ultimate height and spread: 30cm and 50cm depending on variety, with an average spread up to 60cm
Hardiness: Hardy once established
Aftercare: Water well until established, avoiding soil becoming waterlogged. Trim off any dead/straggly areas after flowering has finished. Divide clumps in early Spring or late Autumn if they become congested
