Palace Purple Select Coral Bells

Heuchera villosa × micrantha × americana 'Palace Purple Select'

Saxifragaceae

• Full sun to part shade (part shade preferred in hot summers)
• Mature Size: 12" tall foliage mound (flower scapes to ~18–20") x 12–18" wide
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate; prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil
• Flower: Airy panicles of tiny cream to pinkish-white flowers (June–August)
• Wildlife Benefits: Hummingbirds and bees visit the flowers; deer resistant

'Palace Purple Select' is an improved, more uniform seed strain of the original 'Palace Purple' — the 1991 Perennial Plant of the Year and still one of the most widely planted heucheras — bred from a purple-leaved selection within the Heuchera villosa / micrantha / americana complex, species native to the eastern and central United States rather than the Pacific Northwest. It grows best in organically rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil, and is notably tolerant of juglone (the growth-inhibiting compound produced by black walnut trees), making it a good choice near those trees. In cold-winter climates, mulch after the ground freezes to prevent the shallow-rooted crowns from heaving.

Large, glossy, star- to maple-shaped leaves range from deep olive-green to a rich purplish-bronze, with a striking metallic amethyst-purple underside visible in the loosely mounded clump. Tall, airy flower scapes bearing tiny cream to pinkish-white blooms rise well above the foliage in summer.

The small tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and bees over a long summer bloom period, while the plant's tough, slightly leathery foliage is generally left alone by deer.

A dependable choice for woodland gardens, rock gardens, shaded borders, and edging along pathways; also performs well in containers. Combine with ferns, hostas, and astilbe for a classic layered shade planting, or use as a color echo alongside other purple- or burgundy-foliaged perennials.