Heuchera 'Forever Red'

Heuchera 'Forever Red': Lasting Scarlet Foliage with Garden Presence

Compact and intensely coloured, Heuchera 'Forever Red' is a bold choice for bringing lasting warmth and vibrancy to shady plantings. Its glossy, lobed leaves emerge in a true, fire-engine red and deepen to rich crimson as the season progresses. In late summer, short spikes of pale pink flowers rise above the mound, adding gentle lift and supporting pollinators through the waning heat. Small in size but full of personality, it’s an ideal foliage focal point for containers or mixed borders.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 15–20 cm (25–30 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 30–40 cm, with a compact mounding habit
• Flower Colour: Light pink
• Flowering Period: Late summer
• Foliage: Glossy red to deep crimson; lobed and slightly ruffled
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade; tolerates morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; enriched with organic matter

Uses and Benefits: Heuchera 'Forever Red' is perfectly sized for edging, containers, and accent placements in shaded spaces. Its long-lasting foliage colour provides high-impact contrast, especially when paired with green, gold, or silver-leaved companions. It also attracts pollinators and resists browsing from deer, making it a smart and showy choice for gardeners looking to add structure and intensity to smaller spaces.

Companion Plants: Highlight Heuchera 'Forever Red' with the deep green fronds of Polystichum 'Tassel Fern' for a refined, natural contrast. Add Hosta 'Liberty', whose bold, variegated foliage draws out the red’s intensity. Finish with Carex 'Everglow', whose warm-toned blades offer gentle movement and a soft transition into the surrounding shade garden.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade with moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Protect from full afternoon sun in hotter zones. Cut back old leaves in early spring to allow for fresh growth. Divide every 3–4 years to keep the clump vigorous and compact.

History: Heuchera 'Forever Red' was bred by Terra Nova Nurseries as part of their colour-focused breeding program. It stands out for its true red tones, small scale, and improved heat tolerance, making it a favourite for high-impact shade combinations in both garden beds and containers.

Final Thoughts: With its luminous red foliage and tidy form, Heuchera 'Forever Red' is a standout that brings brilliance and clarity to shaded spaces. Whether used as a punctuation point in a soft woodland palette or as the star in a container, it offers a lasting splash of colour where it’s least expected.