Alum root [Crème Brûlée] Heuchera Crème Brûlée = 'Tnheu041' (Dolce Series)
ABOUT
[Crème Brûlée] is a colourful cultivar with semi-evergreen, ruffled leaves that are predominantly orange. Small-flowered flower spikes of reddish pink are borne from late spring to summer
About this plant
- Names
Family
Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Coral Bells, Alumroot
Common names
Heuchera 'Tnheu041'
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Mixed
Flower color
Mixed
Height
10 inches (25 cm)
Spread
24 inches (61 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
North America
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Foliage: Heuchera Crème Brûlée offers unique caramel-colored leaves that add visual interest to any garden space.
- Seasonal Color Changes: The foliage undergoes seasonal color changes, providing a dynamic display throughout the year.
- Easy to Grow: It is known for being low maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is relatively drought-resistant, requiring minimal watering.
- Long Blooming Period: Produces delicate bell-shaped flowers that can bloom from spring to summer, extending the visual appeal.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of the Coral Bells attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Compact Size: Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens, borders, and containers.
- Versatile Garden Use: Can be used in a variety of garden designs, from woodland settings to modern urban landscapes.
- Groundcover: Its dense growth can help suppress weeds, reducing garden maintenance requirements.
- Cold Hardy: Demonstrates good cold tolerance, making it a suitable choice for gardens in cooler climates.
- 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
- Photo shoots: The striking foliage of Heuchera Crème Brûlée can provide a rich, textured backdrop for close-up photography works or macro photography.
- Craft projects: Leaves from the Heuchera Crème Brûlée can be used in pressed flower arts or to create natural patterns in craft papers.
- Educational tool: This plant can be a specimen for botany studies, showcasing the diversity of foliage plants in a garden.
- Theme gardens: Heuchera Crème Brûlée can be applied to themed garden settings, such as a caramel and dessert-themed garden due to its unique coloration.
- Color contrasting: In mixed container arrangements, this variety can serve to highlight and contrast with more brightly colored flowers or plants.
- Seasonal displays: Due to its visual similarity to autumn leaves, Heuchera Crème Brûlée can be integrated into fall-themed arrangements and displays.
- Texture contrast in art: Artists could use the textured foliage as an inspirational element or as a direct inclusion in mixed media art pieces.
- Living mulch: When planted densely, it can serve as a living mulch, covering soil and retaining moisture.
- Heat island mitigation: These plants can help reduce the heat island effect in urban areas when used in mass plantings due to their dense foliage.
- Wildlife habitat: Heuchera Crème Brûlée can offer shelter to small beneficial insects or spiders, contributing to the ecological health of a garden.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Coral Bells is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Coral Bells is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Persistent Beauty: The Heuchera Crème Brûlée, commonly known as Coral Bells, often symbolizes enduring aesthetics due to their distinctively colored foliage that lasts throughout the seasons.
- Diversity and Variability: Coral Bells come in a variety of shades and patterns, making them a representation of the diversity in nature and the beauty of various forms and colors.
- Delicate Strength: While the small bell-shaped flowers may appear delicate, they are actually quite resilient. This reflects the symbolism of a delicate yet strong nature, capable of withstanding challenges.
- Water
Coral Bells should be watered regularly to maintain consistently moist but not saturated soil. Depending on temperature and humidity, this may mean watering with approximately 1 gallon per week for established plants in moderate climates. During the hot summer months, you may need to water more frequently, possibly twice a week, especially for plants in containers. Ensure the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage strong root growth rather than just wetting the surface. It is important to avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of leaf diseases; instead, water directly at the base of the plant.
- Light
Coral Bells thrive best in partial shade where they receive some morning sun and afternoon shade. If placed in full sun, especially in hot climates, the foliage may scorch, while too much shade may reduce the vibrancy of the leaf colors. An ideal spot would be one with dappled sunlight under a tree canopy or on the eastern side of buildings where direct sunlight is limited to the cooler parts of the day.
- Temperature
Coral Bells are hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, generally from 25°F to 80°F, making them suitable for many climates. However, they prefer temperatures that are consistently between 60°F and 70°F. Extended exposure to temperatures outside this range, particularly below 25°F, may harm the plant if proper winter care is not provided.
- Pruning
Prune Coral Bells to remove any damaged or discolored leaves and to shape the plant. The best time to prune is in early spring or after the plant has finished flowering. Deadheading the spent flower stalks can promote more blooms. Pruning can be done annually or as needed to maintain the plant's appearance and vigor.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The Coral Bells 'Crème Brûlée' thrives in a well-draining soil mix with organic matter, such as a combination of loam, sand, and peat with a pH preference of 6.0 to 7.0. Adequate drainage is important to prevent root rot.
- Repotting
Coral Bells, also known as 'Crème Brûlée', generally do not need frequent repotting and can often remain in the same pot for several years, as they do not have an aggressive root system. Check biennially and repot if rootbound.
- Humidity & Misting
Coral Bells 'Crème Brûlée' prefer average to high humidity but are adaptable to a wide range of conditions as long as they are not in extremely dry air.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Partial shade; shelter from harsh sun; well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Coral Bells 'Crème Brûlée' begins its life cycle as a seed, germinating in warm, moist soil conditions usually in spring. The seedling emerges and develops into a rosette of leaves, going through a vegetative state where it focuses on leaf growth and root establishment. As it matures, the perennial plant produces characteristic lobed leaves, which are bronze-red to apricot in color, and form a dense, mounding clump. In late spring to early summer, slender, upright stems rise above the foliage, bearing small, bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After flowering, seeds develop and are dispersed, ready to start a new generation, while the parent plant often remains, entering a dormancy period in winter. The plant will re-emerge from its rootstock the following spring to continue its perennial cycle.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to early summer
Heuchera Crème Brûlée, a member of the Dolce Series, is commonly propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this perennial. Division involves separating a mature plant into several smaller clumps, each with its own root system. This is best done in early spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully lift the entire plant out of the ground using a shovel, then gently pull or cut the clumps apart, ensuring each new plant has a good amount of roots attached. These new divisions can then be replanted in well-draining soil at the same depth they were previously growing, spaced about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. After planting, water the divisions thoroughly to help establish them in their new locations. Division is an effective way to increase your stock of Heuchera Crème Brûlée while also rejuvenating older plants that may have become woody or less vigorous.