Coral Bells Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' (PBR) (Little Cutie Series)
ABOUT
Heuchera 'Sweet Tart', a charming member of the Little Cutie Series, is a perennial plant notable for its vibrant and attractive foliage, along with dainty blooms that add a splash of color to gardens. The plant's leaves possess a unique charm, boasting a rounded and lobed shape with an intricate pattern of veins. These leaves emerge with a burst of bright chartreuse before maturing into a lush lime green, providing a vivid backdrop throughout the seasons. Adding to the visual appeal, Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' produces delicate bell-shaped flowers that rise above the foliage on slender stems. These flowers are a delightful contrast in pink and white, and they tend to be a favorite among pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies. The blooms are a delicate touch that sway gently with the breeze, creating a whimsical effect. The overall aesthetic of the Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' makes it a versatile choice for gardeners seeking to add a pop of color and texture to their landscape. Its attractive leaves and lovely flowers combine to create a plant that is eye-catching throughout its growing season, contributing both a lush groundcover and subtle vertical interest with its flowering stems.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Coral Bells, Alumroot
Common names
Heuchera 'Sweet Tart'
ToxicityTo humans
Coral Bells, which includes Heuchera 'Sweet Tart', is not known to be toxic to humans. Therefore, ingestion of this plant typically does not lead to any known poisoning symptoms.
To pets
Coral Bells, the category that includes Heuchera 'Sweet Tart', is generally not considered toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Consequently, ingestion of this plant is unlikely to cause poisoning or serious health problems in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Mixed
Flower color
Pink
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Foliage: Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' has eye-catching, colorful leaves that add visual interest to a garden throughout the seasons.
- Compact Size: Being part of the Little Cutie Series, it is ideal for small spaces, containers, or rock gardens.
- Long-Lasting Blooms: It produces delicate flowers that provide a long bloom time from spring to late summer.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil conditions and requiring minimal care once established.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can withstand periods of dryness, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Pest Resistant: Generally resistant to pests and diseases, which reduces the need for chemical treatments.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for use in mixed borders, mass plantings, and as groundcover, offering diverse landscaping options.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides year-round interest with evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage in milder climates.
- Non-Invasive: This cultivar is non-invasive, reducing the risk of it overtaking other plants in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, giving them a unique and subtle color derived from the leaves and flowers.
- In small-scale landscaping, this plant creates an attractive ground cover that suppresses weeds with its dense foliage.
- The plant can be used in creative arts and crafts, particularly in flower pressing due to its colorful leaves that retain vibrancy after drying.
- Due to their unique coloring, Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' leaves can be used as a natural confetti in garden-themed parties or events.
- This plant variety works well in container compositions, adding splashes of color that contrast nicely with other plants or decorative elements.
- Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' is a popular choice among photographers for macro and plant photography due to its intricate leaf patterns and shades.
- Its foliage can serve as a subtle backdrop in floral arrangements, complementing more vivid flowers without stealing the show.
- These plants can be used in terrariums, offering a variety of color and texture to create a miniature landscape indoors.
- The brightly colored leaves of Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' can be used to create interesting and decorative borders for garden pathways.
- For educational purposes, this plant can demonstrate the concept of hybridization and selective breeding in botany classes due to its distinct characteristics as part of the Little Cutie Series.
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- Enduring Beauty: Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells, symbolizes the enduring beauty of nature, with their perennial growth and vibrant foliage.
- Versatility: The wide variety of colors and adaptability of Heuchera to different climates and conditions represents versatility and flexibility in life.
- Attraction: The bell-shaped flowers and sweet name 'Sweet Tart' suggest allure and the power of attraction, which can be linked to drawing in positive energies or relationships.
WaterCoral Bells should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells, by providing them with about 1 inch of water weekly. Apply water directly to the base of the plant, using a watering can or hose with a soft spray attachment to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged, and during hotter months, you may need to increase watering frequency to maintain consistent soil moisture.
LightCoral Bells thrive in a location that offers partial shade to full sun. They prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate morning sun with afternoon shade. The ideal spot would protect them from the harsh afternoon sun in warmer climates to prevent scorching of the leaves.
TemperatureCoral Bells are hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, typically from about 20°F to 80°F. They perform best in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F. They can survive brief periods of colder or hotter temperatures, but prolonged exposure outside this range can be harmful.
PruningCoral Bells require minimal pruning, mainly to remove any dead or damaged leaves and to promote healthy growth and airflow. Pruning is best done in the spring or after flowering by gently cutting away the unwanted foliage at the base of the plant. It's typically not necessary to prune Coral Bells more than once per year.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCoral Bells thrive in well-draining soil with a mix of peat, compost, and perlite. Ideal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingCoral Bells should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and prevent overcrowding of the root system.
Humidity & MistingCoral Bells prefer moderate humidity levels, but they are adaptable and can tolerate the average humidity found in most homes.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Part shade to full sun, mulch in winter, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Heuchera 'Sweet Tart', commonly known as Coral Bells from the Little Cutie Series, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown or when it is propagated vegetatively via division. Germination occurs with suitable warmth and moisture, leading to the sprouting of seedlings that develop true leaves and establish a rosette. As the young plant matures, it forms a robust root system and foliage that grows into a compact mound. In late spring to early summer, it sends up slender stems topped with panicles of small, bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After flowering, seeds develop and are dispersed, closing the reproductive cycle. Throughout the growing seasons, the perennial nature of Coral Bells means the plant will enter a state of dormancy during winter, only to regrow from its rootstock as temperatures rise in spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to summer
Propogation: Heuchera 'Sweet Tart', commonly known as Coral Bells, is best propagated through division, which is the most popular method. This practice is typically done in the spring or autumn when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant and separate it into smaller clumps, ensuring that each clump has a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing previously, spacing them about 12 inches (around 30 centimeters) apart to allow adequate room for growth. Water the new plants thoroughly after planting to help establish them. Division helps to rejuvenate older plants that may have become woody or have a dead center, and is an easy way to create new plants identical to the parent.
