Heuchera Dolce® 'Wildberry'

Heuchera Dolce® 'Wildberry': Glossy Scalloped Purple with Bragging Rights

'Wildberry' is purple like it means it. Big, glossy, scalloped leaves with charcoal veins, the colour of blueberry jam that went to art school. NO CHILL. ALL PURPLE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Heuchera hybrid
• Common Name: Coral Bells
• Series: Dolce®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 25–36 cm (10–14 in) in leaf; flower stems reach 66–71 cm (26–28 in)
• Spread: 41–51 cm (16–20 in)
• Flowers: White flowers with rosy pink calyxes on dark stems
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July to August)
• Foliage: Large, glossy, scalloped leaves in intense purple with charcoal veins
• Features: Long blooming, salt tolerant
• Plant Patent: USPP 31,222 / Can 6,869

Where to Plant: Use it as a rich purple anchor at the front of a shady border, along a path, or in containers, and cut the tall flower stems for small arrangements. It tolerates salt, so a spot near the driveway can work, and it generally copes with black walnut.

Companion Plants: Astilboides tabularis makes a bold backdrop, with cream flowers on plants up to 125 cm in June and July. Run Galium odoratum along the front as a low carpet of white flowers in May and June. Eurybia divaricata picks up the season in August with white flowers that carry on into October. Every plant here likes shade to partial sun, and the mix of big leaves, fine groundcover and airy asters keeps the bed interesting.

Plant Care: Plant in humus-rich, well-drained soil with the crown at soil level. Part shade gives the best colour and growth, though it also handles full shade. Water regularly in the first season and during dry spells later on. Wet winter clay can rot the crown, so add compost to heavy soil. Mulch lightly after the ground freezes to reduce frost heaving. Cut spent flower stems at the base, and trim winter-damaged leaves in early spring. Divide in spring every few years when the centre turns woody.

History: 'Wildberry' is a Dolce® coral bells from Walters Gardens of Zeeland, Michigan, introduced through Proven Winners®. It was a Top Performer in the 2020 Penn State trials, and Proven Winners named it its 2023 Perennial of the Year.

Final Thoughts: Plant a trio under the trees and watch the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds file in. Deer and salt can't stop it. GO WILD.