Alum root 'Burgundy Frost' Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost'
ABOUT
'Burgundy Frost' is an herbaceous perennial forming a neat clump to 30cm in height, with greyish-marbled, dull red leaves, purple beneath, and small pale green flowers from early summer
About this plant
- Names
Family
Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Coral Bells, Alumroot
Common names
Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost'.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Burgundy
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot 6 inches (46 centimeters)
Spread
1 foot (30 centimeters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
North America
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Foliage: Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost' features eye-catching burgundy-colored leaves that add vibrant color to gardens and landscapes.
- Seasonal Interest: The foliage offers year-round interest, changing color with the seasons and providing visual appeal even in winter.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is known to require minimal care, making it a convenient option for gardeners of all levels of experience.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Shade Tolerance: Coral Bells thrive in partial shade, where many other plants may struggle, thus offering solutions for under-canopied areas.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: It offers resistance to common pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Attracts Pollinators: The plant produces small flowers that can attract butterflies and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Its compact size and mounding habit make it suitable for borders, containers, woodland gardens, and as groundcover.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistance: The foliage is less palatable to deer and rabbits, helping to prevent damage from these foragers.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Creating natural dyes: The leaves of Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or paper, providing subtle hints of color.
- Photography backdrop: The unique foliage of this plant provides a stunning, textural backdrop for close-up photography or macro shots.
- Culinary garnish: Edible varieties of Heuchera may add a striking burgundy accent when used as a garnish on sophisticated dishes and desserts.
- Educational tool: This plant can be part of educational programs to teach children about perennial gardening and plant lifecycle in different seasons.
- Theme garden inclusion: Use Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost' to complement a gothic or dark-themed garden with its deep burgundy foliage.
- Artistic inspiration: Its striking color and leaf texture can inspire artists in their work, from painting to fabric design.
- Frost resistance demonstration: This particular variety can be utilized to demonstrate frost resistance in plant species during horticulture and botany classes.
- Living mulch: Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost' can act as living mulch, suppressing weeds and helping to retain soil moisture with its dense foliage.
- Ice Crystal Formation Study: The leaves can serve as subjects in photographic studies of ice and frost crystal formations due to their resilience in cold temperatures.
- Terrariums and miniatures: Small specimens or leaf cuttings can be incorporated into terrariums or miniature gardens for a touch of rich color.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
Coral Bells are not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
Coral Bells are not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Durability - Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells, is a hardy perennial, symbolizing strength and resilience, able to withstand challenging conditions.
- Beauty and Grace - The 'Burgundy Frost' variety, with its striking burgundy-colored leaves and delicate bell-shaped flowers, represents elegance and a subtle yet captivating beauty.
- Versatility - Coral Bells are known for their versatility, thriving in various environments, symbolizing adaptability and the ability to thrive in different situations.
- Balance - The plant achieves a balance between its bold foliage and dainty flowers, symbolizing the importance of harmony in life.
- Water
Coral Bells should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. It's essential to allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering to prevent root rot. During hot or dry periods, you may need to water Coral Bells more frequently. The exact amount of water needed can vary based on soil type, temperature, and plant size, but a general rule is to provide up to 1 gallon of water weekly for an established plant in moderate climates. Water the plant at the soil level, avoiding wetting the foliage to reduce the risk of disease.
- Light
Coral Bells thrive in conditions where they can receive morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight throughout the day. They perform well in part shade and can tolerate full sun in cooler climates as long as they are not exposed to the harsh afternoon sun. The ideal spot for Coral Bells is an area with bright, filtered light which helps to bring out the rich colors of their foliage.
- Temperature
Coral Bells are hardy and can withstand a temperature range from about 20°F to 80°F. They can survive occasional dips below this range but may suffer if temperatures consistently fall below 20°F. The ideal temperature for Coral Bells is between 60°F and 70°F, where they can grow comfortably without stress from either heat or cold.
- Pruning
Coral Bells should be pruned to remove any damaged or dead foliage and to promote a tidy growth habit. The best time for pruning is in early spring before new growth begins or immediately after flowering. Deadheading, or removing spent flower stalks, will encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding. Prune Coral Bells as needed to maintain their shape and health, typically once or twice a year.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Coral Bells thrive in well-draining, organically rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part peat moss, and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal to facilitate proper drainage and retain sufficient moisture.
- Repotting
Coral Bells typically require repotting every 3 to 4 years. It's best to repot in early spring before new growth begins, or in late fall once the plant goes dormant.
- Humidity & Misting
Coral Bells prefer moderate humidity levels. They do not require high humidity and can tolerate the humidity levels typically found in home gardens and landscapes without the need for additional humidity adjustments.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Provide bright indirect light and consistent moisture.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, ensure moist well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
- Life cycle
The Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost,' commonly known as Coral Bells, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates when temperatures are favorable, usually in the spring. Once germinated, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with characteristic lobed leaves and a rosette form. As the plant matures, it produces a flower stalk, with tiny bell-shaped flowers typically blooming in late spring to early summer. After pollination by insects, the flowers turn into seed capsules that eventually release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Coral Bells are perennial, meaning they will enter a dormancy period during the colder months, to then emerge again the following spring. Throughout the years, they grow in size and can be propagated by division to create new plants.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Heuchera 'Burgundy Frost', commonly known as Coral Bells, is by division. This process is best done in spring but can also be undertaken in fall. To propagate by division, a mature clump should be carefully lifted from the ground with a spade. The clump should then be gently broken apart into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a healthy amount of roots and at least one or two shoots. These divisions can be replanted at the same soil depth they were growing at previously. After planting, the divisions should be watered thoroughly to help establish the new plants. This method allows for the rapid increase of new plants while maintaining the characteristics of the parent plant.