Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'

Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade': Ruffled Lime That Fills the Gaps

'Lime Marmalade' is ruffled, lime-green and piling on the colour like jam on hot toast. A big, vigorous mound that doesn't do anything halfway. BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Heuchera hybrid
• Common Name: Coral Bells
• Series: MARMALADE™ series, from Terra Nova Nurseries
• Height: 25 cm (10 in) in leaf; flower stems reach about 40 cm (16 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Small white bells on slim stems
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Lime-green, ruffled leaves in a large mound
• Features: Vigorous

Where to Plant: Its size makes it a good groundcover-style filler in shade, where a few plants can cover a lot of ground. It also spills nicely over the edge of a large shade container.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Lime Marmalade' in a moist, shady bed with pink astilbe, a fragrant hosta and dark bugbane. Astilbe 'Little Vision in Pink' adds deep pink plumes at 35 to 40 cm in July and August. Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' brings apple-green leaves edged in cream at 50 to 55 cm. Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty' rises behind at 150 to 175 cm with dark leaves and fragrant white spikes. Carex grayi adds glossy blades at 60 to 90 cm with spiky seed heads.

Plant Care: Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil with the crown at soil level. Heuchera dislikes wet winter soil, so amend heavy clay with compost or plant on a slight rise. Give it shelter from hot afternoon sun, which can bleach or burn lime foliage. Water during dry spells, especially the first season. Cut spent flower stems back to the base and trim any winter-damaged leaves in early spring. Divide in spring every three to four years to keep it vigorous.

History: 'Lime Marmalade' was found at Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon as a lime-leaved sport, a branch that mutates and grows differently from the parent, of their earlier 'Marmalade'. It is part of Terra Nova's MARMALADE™ series alongside 'Marmalade' and 'Berry Marmalade'.

Final Thoughts: Plant it in the darkest corner and watch it light up. Deer won't touch it. EVERY SHADE GARDEN NEEDS A LITTLE ZING.