Heuchera Lime Green

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Saxifragaceae

Order

Saxifragales

Genus

Heuchera

Species

x hybrida

Description

A herbaceous perennial appreciated for its ornamental foliage with different colour tones depending on the variety, which gives a colourful accent to outdoor green spaces such as flowerbeds, borders and planters during the different seasons; with its globular growth and small size, it is suitable both for use alone in homogeneous groups as well as in compositions with other herbaceous species of different heights, creating highly decorative perspective views. Versatile and easy to grow, it prefers a cool climate and exposure away from direct sunlight.

Variety description

A perennial plant with very decorative foliage, it also has little flowering. Plant much used as a border or colourful spot on flowerbeds not exposed to direct sun.

Curiosities and special features

The name of the botanical genus, Heuchera, was given in honour of the German physician Johann von Heucher, an 18th century botanist and expert on medicinal plants.

Hybrids x Heucherella were obtained by crossing Heuchera x Tiarella.

Origin and distribution

The botanical genus Heuchera, native to North America, arrived in Europe in the 17th century and immediately aroused great interest due to its colourful, often marbled or veined foliage.

Since the 1990s, as a result of intensive hybridisation work aimed at emphasising the aesthetic value of the leaves with crosses between species such as H. villosa, H. richardsonii, H. micrantha, H. americana and H. sanguinea, a wide assortment of varieties has been introduced that are distinguished mainly by the colour shade of the leaf blades.

Flower size

The flower is small.

Leaf

The leaves have jagged laminae.

Flowering period

from late summer to late winter for a duration of 90 to 100 days

Leaf colour

The evenly coloured foliage gives the plant high ornamental value.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.35 m, making it ideal for creating pure compositions or with other ornamental grasses as a first or second-story plant, depending on the associations chosen during planting.

Lifespan

Ornamental herbaceous perennial.

Where to plant

Extremely versatile, appreciated by landscapers and green enthusiasts for its decorative foliage that adds a splash of colour and liveliness during the colder period when many other ornamentals are dormant. Suitable for adorning outdoor spaces and environments such as flower beds, planters, gardens and parks, outdoor ponds.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a tubular corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from late summer to late winter, with a flowering period of between 90 and 100 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Globular growing variety, perfect for creating dense and elegant bedding or border compositions.

Plant habit

The bushy vegetative habitus allows for proportionate and compact overall results.

Branching

Variety with abundant branching.

PH

For Heuchera the ideal soil pH is slightly acidic, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, carry out light digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones. Bury organic or chemical fertiliser, and add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm.

Sun exposure

Requires exposures in half-shade, shade, light shade. Avoid transplanting in full sun, particularly in hot, dry climates where it is preferable to place it in shaded areas or sheltered from other plants.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a cool climate and adapts well in areas with a cold winter climate. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 21 °C. The vital temperature is between -4 and 38 °C.

Use

The elegance and refinement of the decorative foliage gives this variety of Heuchera x hybrida a prominent role in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Highly rustic variety.

Soil

A light, well-draining soil is the ideal pedological condition for the proper development of Heuchera, which does not tolerate heavy, water-saturated soils; a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended for planters or tubs.

Difficulty

Cultivation is easy, adding further value to the plant.

Growing tips

Some cultivation tricks to achieve better vegetative development:

Avoid over-watering Always keep the substrate moist Prefers cool climate

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for use in elegant mixed arrangements with other ornamentals such as Alchemilla, Ajuga reptans, Astilbe x arendsii, Echinacea purpurea, Hosta, Rodgersia pinnata, Stachys byzantina.

Planting

Proper development of each specimen in a flower bed also results from a suitable planting pattern. An average density of 10 plants per square metre is recommended to achieve a proportionate final composition.

Propagation

The multiplication of some cultivars is by sowing. The technique of micropropagation is also widespread.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively low-salinity aqueduct water, either manually or by means of an irrigation system; water frequently according to weather conditions, keeping the soil or substrate moist at all times but preventing water stagnation which can lead to root rot. It is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant directly to prevent damage to the foliage.

Fertilising

During soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation by uniformly burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser. After proper post-transplant settling, on average three to four weeks after planting, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the substrate or soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate doses and frequencies as stated on the relevant information label. Take care with the doses applied as Heuchera is sensitive to over-fertilisation, especially in conjunction with water stress.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Avoid planting in full sun, especially in hot, dry climates, where it is preferable to plant it in shaded areas or sheltered from other plants. It is an excellent understorey or half-shade plant. It is very suitable for autumn compositions. If exposed to direct sun in summer, it tends to burn the edges of its leaves.