Heuchera villosa, affectionately known as hairy alum root, is a lovely coral bell that graces rocky wooded slopes from Virginia all the way to Georgia and Tennessee. This charming plant features large, hairy, triangularly-lobed leaves that are sharply-toothed and have a delightful velvety texture. You’ll also notice its hairy, rusty-brown flowering stems and leaf stalks adding to its character. Typically, it blooms from mid to late summer, making it a charming late bloomer within its genus. The leaves naturally form a rounded basal clump that can reach heights and widths of 18 to 24 inches. In late summer, it delights us with tiny, whitish to pinkish flowers that bloom in open, airy panicles on slender, wiry stems that rise gracefully above the foliage mound, reaching up to 36 inches tall.
For the best growth, it’s wonderful to plant Heuchera villosa in rich, humusy soils that stay medium in moisture and are well-drained, enjoying full sun to part shade. While this plant can thrive in full sun, especially in cooler climates, it really appreciates some shade to stay cool during hot summer afternoons. This species is quite drought-tolerant and shines during hot and humid summers better than many other heucheras, although some scorching and decline in foliage may occur if the soil dries out. If it’s grown in full sun, keeping the soil consistently moist is key.
To encourage more blooms, simply remove the stems of faded flowers. In warmer winter climates, you’ll enjoy the evergreen foliage, but in colder climates, how much foliage color remains depends on the winter’s severity. Applying a cozy layer of winter mulch after the ground freezes can help protect the roots from heaving. Plus, it’s great to divide the clumps every 3-4 years in spring to keep them healthy.
BONAP MAP
Height: 1′-2′ Spread: 1′-1.5′ Bloom: April-June Light: Part Shade Water: Medium Zone: 4-8 Origin: North America
