Coral bells / alumroot
Heuchera sanguinea
Coral bells / alumroot (Heuchera sanguinea) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8 to 18 in tall and 12 to 18 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun. Foliage cultivars in every color from caramel to near-black. Slender flower spikes attract hummingbirds.
On the CSU listmedium water8 to 18 in tall and 12 to 18 in wide
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Elliot Kulakow, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8 to 18 in tall and 12 to 18 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~13 to 18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- pink, red, white
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Deer often browse this
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Using Coral bells / alumroot as a groundcover
Coral bells / alumroot grows in tidy clumps. It fills in to a moderately dense cover.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Coral bells / alumroot good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Coral bells / alumroot is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Coral bells / alumroot get?
- It matures to about 8 to 18 in tall and 12 to 18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Coral bells / alumroot?
- Space Coral bells / alumroot about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Coral bells / alumroot hardy on the Front Range?
- Coral bells / alumroot is hardy in USDA 4 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Coral bells / alumroot need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Coral bells / alumroot native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Coral bells / alumroot deer-resistant?
- No. Deer often browse Coral bells / alumroot, so plan on protecting it where deer roam.
- Can you walk on Coral bells / alumroot?
- Coral bells / alumroot isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Coral bells / alumroot spread or stay put?
- Coral bells / alumroot is clumping. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Coral bells / alumroot stay green in winter?
- Coral bells / alumroot keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
