Heuchera 'Cherry Cola'

Heuchera 'Cherry Cola': Cherry-Red Bells on Cola-Brown Leaves

'Cherry Cola' pours red-brown leaves with a golden brown finish, then tops them off with cherry-red bells the hummingbirds can't stop sipping. FIZZY. SWEET. NO SUGAR CRASH.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Heuchera hybrid
• Common Name: Coral Bells
• Height: 15–23 cm (6–9 in) in leaf; flower stems 40–45 cm (16–18 in)
• Spread: 35–40 cm (14–16 in)
• Flowers: Cherry red to salmon-red bells on upright stems
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (June to July)
• Foliage: Gently lobed, red-brown leaves that age to a mix of red and golden brown
• Features: Showy flowers and foliage
• Plant Patent: USPP 22,967

Where to Plant: It's compact, so put it at the front of a border, along a path, in a rock garden or in containers. Plant it in groups of three or more so the red really adds up, and cut a few stems, since the flowers last well in a vase.

Companion Plants: Red 'Cherry Cola' and Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersen's Variety' make an easy pair, with pink flowers from May to July. Liriope 'Big Blue' adds lavender spikes in August and September, after the coral bells finish. Carex 'Blue Zinger' brings a fine, blue sedge texture at 30 to 45 cm. All three handle full shade, part sun or full sun.

Plant Care: Plant in part shade, or in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. The red is richest with a little more light, as long as the soil doesn't dry out. Use moist, well-drained soil with organic matter, and keep the crown at soil level. Water regularly through the first season. Cut the flower stems once they fade, and trim tired leaves in spring. Lift and divide every three or four years, in spring, when the crown starts rising out of the soil.

History: Janet Egger bred 'Cherry Cola' at Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon, where it was introduced around 2010 and patented in 2012. A sibling of 'Root Beer', it went on to parent other plants, including 'Berry Timeless' from Walters Gardens.

Final Thoughts: Plant it where it can run the soda fountain of the shade garden. The deer aren't buying. DOUBLE THE CHERRY, PLEASE.