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Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' (Plum Pudding Coral Bells) - A clumping perennial that remains evergreen in mild climates that grows to about 8 inches tall by 16 inches wide. It has relatively large, glossy plum-purple colored, rounded lobed leaves with darker purple veining, silver highlights and tiny white flowers in open panicles that rise well above the foliage in summer.
Plant in full coastal sun to part shade in an amended well-drained soil. The foliage color is best with some direct sun but may require afternoon shade in hotter climates. Irrigate occasionally to regularly - more drought tolerant in shade. A very hardy plant that should be able to be planted in all California gardens and is rated to USDA Zone 4 ~ -30F (with mulch). This plant is grown for its foliage, and some recommend removing inflorescences as they emerge to prevent flowering. It has been noted to be more resistant to problems with mildew, spider mites and white flies than some other cultivars. Can make a nice plant for mass planting as a ground cover or border and also in smaller groupings in a rock garden and mixed meadow gardens.
Introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon in 1996 and won a Gold Medal that same year from the VKC Nieuw, the judging committee for the HortiFair tradeshow in Holland. It is protected by Plant Breeders Rights in Europe and UK until 2023. In their book "Heuchera and Heucherellas: Coral Bells and Foamy Bells" Timber Press 2005 authors Dan Heims and Grahame note that Linnaeus named Heuchera for Johann Heinrich von Heucher, professor of medicine and Botany at Wittenberg University and that the name Heuchera should be pronounced following this person's name that it commemorates, meaning it so be pronounced HOY-ker-uh, but like most people, we continue to pronounce it HUE-ker-ah. We grew this plant from 2010 to 2017 but discontinued growing it because it seemed to be attractive to mealybugs.
The information about Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
