Heuchera micrantha diversifolia 'Palace Purple' (Palace Purple Coral Bells) - A clumping perennial that grows to 1 foot tall by up 2 feet wide that is primarily grown for its burgundy purple foliage but does produce 18-inch-tall stalks of white flowers in summer.
Plant in full coastal sun to light shade and irrigate regularly - in the sun the foliage retains its best leaf color. Seems tolerant of many other soil types but dislikes heavy clay soils and alkalinity, so the addition of ample organic material seems beneficial. Very cold hardy and useful down to USDA Zone 4.
Heuchera micrantha diversifolia 'Palace Purple'is a cultivar that originated in England from seed that had been imported from a Botanic Garden in the United States. The name 'Purple Palace' is a reference to the first plants that were grown at the Queen's palace at Kew Gardens. It was first introduced to American gardens in 1986 and was the first Heuchera to be widely grown here for its dramatic foliage. It received the coveted Perennial Plant Association Plant-of-the-Year award in 1991.
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 1989 until 2007.
The information about Heuchera micrantha diversifolia 'Palace Purple' 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. |