Heuchera 'Evening Gown'

Heuchera 'Evening Gown': Midnight Elegance in the Shade

Dramatic and refined, Heuchera 'Evening Gown' brings a striking sense of formality to shady borders with its jet-black, high-gloss foliage and deeply ruffled texture. This bold cultivar is both elegant and durable, forming a broad, low mound that holds its colour from spring through fall. Tall spires of soft pink flowers rise in contrast during midsummer, adding delicate charm to the plant’s brooding beauty.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–30 cm (45–50 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 50–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Soft pink on slender stems
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Glossy black, deeply ruffled and dramatic
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade; tolerates morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; enriched with organic matter

Uses and Benefits: Heuchera 'Evening Gown' is a showpiece in shade gardens, where its dark foliage provides high contrast and sophisticated texture. Ideal for edging, containers, or underplanting shrubs, it anchors combinations with poise and depth. Its midsummer blooms attract pollinators, while the foliage adds four-season structure. Perfect for modern designs or woodland plantings seeking a bold focal point.

Companion Plants: Highlight the richness of Heuchera 'Evening Gown' with the finely dissected, silvery fronds of Athyrium 'Ghost', creating a luminous contrast in dappled light. Introduce the soft white blooms and foliage of Tiarella 'Spring Symphony' for seasonal brightness and a natural woodland feel. Add graceful vertical lift with Carex 'Ice Dance', a variegated sedge that brings light movement and subtle colour echo to complete the composition.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade with rich, consistently moist soil. Avoid prolonged drought or full sun exposure. Deadhead after flowering to maintain a neat appearance. Mulch annually and divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain density and rejuvenate growth.

History: Heuchera 'Evening Gown' is a standout introduction from Terra Nova Nurseries, bred for its show-stopping black foliage and elegant flower display. It’s part of a newer wave of heuchera cultivars designed for bold presence and garden adaptability.

Final Thoughts: Sophisticated and eye-catching, Heuchera 'Evening Gown' is the garden’s little black dress—always in style, always dramatic, and effortlessly graceful beneath the shade.