Why is my heuchera dying?

Almost certainly vine weevil. Larvae eat the roots underground, often invisibly, until the plant collapses despite watering. Lift the affected plant: if the root system is reduced to a chewed stump with small cream C-shaped larvae visible, it's vine weevil. Treatment: nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) watered into the soil; for the affected plant, often too late — replace and treat the surrounding bed. Prevention going forward: apply nematodes in autumn and spring as preventative.

Why is my heuchera rising out of the ground?

Normal heuchera behaviour. As old roots die back at the base and new roots form higher up the crown, the plant gradually rises out of the soil — sometimes 5–10 cm above ground level after 3 years. Two fixes. (1) Bury the rising crown: scrape away soil, position the crown lower, refill with fresh soil. (2) Split and replant: lift the plant, divide into 2–4 sections, replant each at proper depth. Either approach should be done every 3 years to keep heucheras vigorous.

Will heucheras grow in deep shade?

Yes — but with colour and flower compromises. Heucheras tolerate part shade and full shade better than full sun. In deep shade: foliage colours mute (oranges and reds fade towards green), plants stretch slightly, flowering reduces. Best display: part shade (4–6 hours dappled or morning sun) — colours intensify, plants stay compact, flowering is reliable. For deep shade: pick the most vivid varieties (the brightest oranges/limes) to compensate for the colour muting.

What's the best heuchera for the UK?

For a first plant: Palace Purple — the original purple-leaved heuchera (1980s), vigorous, reliable, long-lived, dramatic. For lime/chartreuse: Lime Marmalade — glows in shade. For autumn fire: Marmalade — orange-amber leaves. For deep purple-black: Obsidian or Forever Purple. For silver: Silver Scrolls. For mass planting: pick 3–4 contrasting foliage colours and group them — heucheras work brilliantly in trios and quartets.

When do I plant heucheras?

Spring (March–April) or early autumn (September) is best. Spring planting gives the plant time to establish before its first summer; autumn planting establishes through cool wet weather before frost. Avoid summer planting — heat plus root disturbance often kills new heucheras. Container-grown plants can technically be planted any time but spring/autumn give the best survival rates. Treat new plants with nematodes at planting as vine weevil prevention.

Can I grow heucheras in pots?

Yes — pots showcase the foliage colours beautifully. Use a 25–30 cm pot of peat-free compost with some grit. Drainage is critical — heucheras hate waterlogged compost. The pot disadvantage: heightened vine weevil risk (potted heucheras are top of weevil's hit list). Treatment: apply nematodes to every new pot purchase, then again each autumn and spring. Repot every 2–3 years, refreshing compost and burying the rising crown. Pot heucheras live 3–5 years before needing replacement.

Heuchera / sininho-coral

Heuchera × hybrida

Plant heuchera in spring or autumn, in part shade in well-drained soil — they're evergreen perennials grown primarily for the bold rounded foliage in extraordinary colours (lime, gold, orange, red, deep purple, near-black, and silver-marbled forms). Heucheras are hardy (RHS H5–H6) and produce wiry stems of small bell-shaped flowers (mostly pink, cream, or red) in early summer, though they're foliage plants first. Vine weevil is the dominant UK pest — larvae eat the roots and can kill plants overnight; treat with nematodes in autumn. The bewildering range of foliage colours comes from intensive modern breeding (the "Coral Bells" wave of 2000s–2020s). Replant every 3 years — heuchera crowns rise out of the ground as old roots die back; bury the rising crown or split and replant to keep plants vigorous.

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