Coral bells / alumroot
Heuchera sanguinea
Coral bells / alumroot (Heuchera sanguinea) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–18 in tall and 12–18 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 water8–18 in tall and 12–18 in wideZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
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 4–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–18 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 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
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
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 8–18 in tall and 12–18 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 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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?
- Coral bells / alumroot is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Coral bells / alumroot a good firewise plant near the house?
- Coral bells / alumroot is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
