Heuchera Dolce® 'Toffee Tart'

Heuchera Dolce® 'Toffee Tart': Amber to Ginger, Dusted in Silver

'Toffee Tart' starts as amber with a silver glaze, slides into ginger and finishes greener by late summer, like a bakery case that changes by the hour. EVERYTHING'S FRESH. NOTHING'S STALE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Heuchera hybrid
• Common Name: Coral Bells
• Series: Dolce®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in) in leaf; flower stems reach 51–61 cm (20–24 in)
• Spread: 41–46 cm (16–18 in)
• Flowers: Creamy white bells on burgundy stems
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July)
• Foliage: Amber with a silver overlay in spring, maturing to ginger, and greener by late summer
• Features: Salt tolerant
• Plant Patent: USPP 33,694

Where to Plant: Use it to warm up a shady border, edge a path, or fill a container where you want a pop of orange-brown. Its salt tolerance makes it worth trying near a walkway that gets winter salt spray, and it generally copes with black walnut.

Companion Plants: Set Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds' behind it for blue flowers in April and May, well before the coral bells start. Astilbe 'Heart and Soul' rises to 75 cm at the back and carries pink plumes from July into September. Carex 'Bowles Golden' adds a fine, grassy texture at 60 to 90 cm that contrasts nicely with the rounded heuchera leaves. All three enjoy shade to partial sun, so this little group fills a shady bed from spring to fall.

Plant Care: Plant in humus-rich, well-drained soil, with the crown at soil level. Morning sun and afternoon shade give the best colour. Avoid full sun, which can scorch the leaves. Water through the first season and in long dry spells after that. Clay that stays wet in winter is the main danger, so mix in compost before planting. A light mulch after the ground freezes reduces frost heaving. Trim tattered leaves in early spring. Divide in spring every few years when the centre turns woody.

History: Walters Gardens of Zeeland, Michigan introduced 'Toffee Tart' in its Dolce® series of coral bells, sold through Proven Winners®. It was named a Top Performer in trials at Michigan State University in 2020 and 2021 and at Penn State in 2020.

Final Thoughts: Give it afternoon shade and a dark neighbour to play off. Deer and salt can't touch it. SWEETER WITH EVERY SLICE.