Heuchera 'PARIS' coral bells
Heuchera
Heucheras – coral bells are undemanding yet striking perennials that have gained popularity thanks to their beautiful foliage and delicate flowers, sometimes appearing in rich inflorescences. They form dense clumps of leaves with a breathtaking range of colours. The genus was named after Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677–1746), a German physician and professor. It includes around forty species of perennial plants, mostly native to North America, except for H. sichotensis from the Russian Far East. To Europe, heucheras were introduced in the 18th century. their classification can be quite challenging as in the wild, these plants often crossbreed, and their flowers change shape significantly as they mature. That’s why so many breeders are drawn to them – their variable gene pool invites experimentation, and the thrill of discovering something new at the end of a breeding attempt is simply irresistible 😊.
Paris is beautiful, charismatic, and unique. Many of us associate it with love and romance, and when we plan a trip there we feel entitled to receive an experience of something extraordinarily beautiful. Looking at her invention, American plant breeder Janet N. Egger from the Terra Nova® Nurseries probably didn't take too long to decide to name her new coral bells variety after this French capital. This variety is worth every compliment, just like Paris, and is surely hard not to fall in love with. Again, just like Paris. US patent No. PP18881 was granted in 2008.
Paris coral bells belongs among the most profuse flowering heucheras ever. It is an interspecific hybrid with the blood of H. sanguinea, H. micrantha, H. americana and H. cylindrica. Its medium green leaves are conspicuously marbled silvery grey and form a neat and dense mound. As early as in late May rise relatively short, about 35 cm tall, dark maroon stems topped with loose thyrsus (upright raceme) composed of coral red flowers. Each flowering stem lasts for almost a month while other stems are tirelessly produced until autumn.
Foliage is kept most of the year during mild winters of USDA zone 6. To have it as beautiful as possible we recommend regular removing of stems with spent flowers or cutting the whole plant back just above the ground level in early July – after the main flowering phase – and feeding it abundantly every week with liquid fertilizers for ornamental or flowering plants.
Coral bells can take almost any soil with ample moisture and good drainage. They do best in partial shade or filtered sun, however, if you make sure they will not dry out you can place them in full sun, too. They can also live in dark shade where their colours will not be too rich, such location is usually best for light coloured varieties. Cut off all leaves in early spring to encourage growth of new foliage. Fully hardy to abt. -40 °C (USDA zone 3), and suitable for outdoor pots.
Last update 20-10-2022
