Coral Bells Heuchera 'Fire Chief' (PBR)
ABOUT
Heuchera 'Fire Chief' is an ornamental perennial plant renowned for its vibrant foliage and charming flowers. It is popularly known as Coral Bells. The leaves of Coral Bells 'Fire Chief' boast a stunning array of colors ranging from wine red to deep burgundy, typically changing hues with the seasons. These rounded leaves have a lobed edge, creating a textured and ruffled look, and often exhibit a shiny or glossy appearance, which heightens their visual appeal. Complementing its striking foliage, Coral Bells 'Fire Chief' produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers. These flowers are often a contrasting soft pink or white color, and they bloom on slender, upright stems that rise above the foliage. The contrast between the fiery-colored leaves and the lighter flowers creates an eye-catching display. The plant is admired for its mounding habit, forming a dense clump that serves as a colorful ground cover or an accent in garden beds and borders. It is also a favorite for container gardening, where its dramatic foliage can be showcased.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Coral Bells, Alumroot
Common names
Heuchera 'Fire Chief' (PBR).
ToxicityTo humans
The coral bells are not known to be toxic to humans. As a result, ingestion of parts of the plant typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse health effects.
To pets
Coral bells are also not known to be toxic to pets. They are generally considered safe for dogs, cats, and other animals, and ingestion should not cause any significant symptoms of poisoning. However, it is always advisable to prevent pets from eating plants as a precaution and to consult with a veterinarian if any unusual symptoms arise after ingestion.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Mixed
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Foliage: Heuchera 'Fire Chief' displays eye-catching, fiery red to wine-red leaves that add color to the garden throughout the season.
- Durable Perennial: It is a hardy perennial that can survive in a garden for many years with proper care.
- Seasonal Interest: Its foliage changes colors with the seasons, providing year-round interest in the landscape.
- Shade Tolerance: This plant is suitable for shaded areas of the garden where many other plants may not thrive.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it is somewhat resistant to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Easy to Grow: Heuchera 'Fire Chief' is relatively easy to grow, making it a good choice for novice gardeners.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Versatile in Landscaping: Its compact size and mounding habit make it ideal for use in borders, containers, and as groundcover.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal maintenance, aside from occasional watering and deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Frost Hardy: Can withstand cold temperatures and frost, making it a great choice for cool-climate gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic inspiration: The vivid foliage of Heuchera 'Fire Chief' can be used by artists as a subject for botanical illustration or photography, capturing the unique coloration and form.
- Natural fabric dyes: The leaves of the Coral Bells can be processed to create natural dyes for coloring textiles with earthy tones.
- Plant compositions: Its striking color can be used in plant arrangements and as a striking companion in succulent displays to add a pop of color contrast.
- Educational tool: Heuchera 'Fire Chief' can be used in educational settings such as schools or botanical gardens to teach about plant genetics and hybridization.
- Drama production sets: The attractive foliage can be utilized in theatre and movie sets to add authentic greenery and visual interest to outdoor scenes.
- Garden sculpture base: Its mound-forming habit makes it a good base plant to grow around garden sculptures, complementing and enhancing the artwork.
- Photographic backgrounds: The plant can be used in close-up photography as a natural background to highlight other subjects like insects or smaller plants.
- Culinary presentation: Although not for consumption, leaves can be used as an organic decoration around food platters or dishes in culinary presentations.
- Feng Shui: The Coral Bells plant can be incorporated into Feng Shui garden designs to introduce metal and fire elements through its colors.
- Miniature gardens: Ideal for use in fairy gardens or miniature landscapes due to its compact size and colorful foliage adding an enchanted feel to small-scale gardens.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Coral Bells is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Coral Bells is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Transformation: The dynamic color range of Coral Bells, shifting from deep reds to purples, symbolizes change and personal growth.
- Vitality: The vibrant and lively colors of the leaves reflect a symbol of energy and good health.
- Endurance: As a hardy perennial, Coral Bells represent the ability to withstand varying conditions, symbolizing resilience and tenacity.
WaterCoral Bells should be watered regularly, maintaining moderate moisture but ensuring the soil is well-draining to avoid waterlogging. During the growing season in spring and summer, watering once a week with about 1 inch of water should be sufficient. In the hotter months, you may need to increase watering frequency to twice a week if the top inch of soil dries out. Always check the soil moisture level before watering to prevent over-watering; in the colder months, you should reduce watering to avoid root rot.
LightFor optimal growth, Coral Bells prefer partial shade to full sun. They thrive best in a spot that gets morning sunlight and is protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun. These plants can tolerate a fair amount of sun if they are kept moist, but too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves or fade their vibrant color.
TemperatureCoral Bells are hardy in a wide range of temperatures and can survive in temperatures as low as 10°F and as high as 80°F. For healthy growth, they prefer the milder range between 60°F and 70°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme temperatures both in summer and winter to prevent stress and damage.
PruningPrune Coral Bells to remove any dead or damaged leaves and to promote a tidy growth habit. The best time for pruning is in early spring before new growth begins, which also helps encourage fresh, vigorous foliage. They can also be pruned after flowering to deadhead spent blooms and to rejuvenate the plant. Once a year or as needed is sufficient for maintaining the health and appearance of the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCoral Bells thrive in well-draining, organic-rich soil with a preferred pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of two parts peat moss, one part perlite, and one part compost will provide the ideal growing conditions for Heuchera 'Fire Chief'.
RepottingCoral Bells should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. This frequency ensures the plant remains healthy and avoids becoming root-bound.
Humidity & MistingCoral Bells prefer moderate humidity levels and are quite adaptable, but do not need excessive humidity to thrive; typical indoor levels are usually sufficient.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Coral Bells near bright, indirect light and ensure soil is well-draining.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade and ensure soil is moist and well-drained.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleHeuchera 'Fire Chief', commonly known as Coral Bells, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in spring or early summer, develops into a small seedling. The seedling grows into a clump-forming perennial plant that produces heart-shaped leaves with a deep red or purple hue. Throughout the spring and summer months, the plant matures and sends up tall flowering stalks with small, bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators and may set seed if conditions allow. After flowering, the plant enters a period of reduced activity in fall and may die back partially in winter, depending on the climate. However, the root system remains alive, and Coral Bells become dormant to survive the cold. With the return of warmer weather, the plant breaks dormancy, the foliage rejuvenates, and the growth cycle resumes, with the possibility of division every few years to maintain vigor and propagate new plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Heuchera 'Fire Chief', commonly known as Coral Bells, is often propagated through division, which is a straightforward and popular method. This typically takes place in the spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, gently lift the Coral Bells from the ground and use a sharp knife or spade to divide the crown into sections, ensuring each section has a piece of the root system attached. Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing previously, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches apart (approximately 30 to 45 centimeters) to allow room for growth. Water the new plants thoroughly to help establish the roots in their new location. This method of propagation allows gardeners to quickly and effectively expand their collection of Coral Bells while ensuring genetic consistency with the parent plant.
