Heuchera 'Fire Alarm'

Heuchera 'Fire Alarm': Bold Colour That Sizzles Through the Seasons

Fiery and unforgettable, Heuchera 'Fire Alarm' makes an immediate impact with its intense red foliage that smoulders like autumn leaves all year long. Broad, glossy leaves emerge scarlet in spring, deepen to a deep mahogany red in summer, and return to vivid crimson tones in cooler weather. With a tidy, mounded form and soft white flowers rising above the foliage, it’s a showpiece for sun-dappled shade and fiery garden palettes.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–25 cm (35–40 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 40–45 cm
• Flower Colour: Creamy white on slender stems
• Flowering Period: Late spring to midsummer
• Foliage: Bright red to mahogany; thick, glossy, and rounded
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full sun (with consistent moisture)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; appreciates regular mulching

Uses and Benefits: Heuchera 'Fire Alarm' is ideal for borders, containers, and accent plantings where rich foliage colour is the star. Whether massed or used as a single statement piece, its brilliant tones hold their own against both dark evergreens and soft pastels. This cultivar is deer-resistant, attracts pollinators, and offers year-round visual interest, even in winter when many perennials fade from view.

Companion Plants: Let Heuchera 'Fire Alarm' spark contrast beside the cool, brushed foliage of Dryopteris 'Eastern Wood Fern', which adds a delicate woodland texture. Pair with Lamium 'Orchid Frost', whose silver leaves and lavender blooms soften the composition and light up the shade. To tie the planting together with gentle motion, include Sesleria 'Blue-Green Moor Grass', a shade-tolerant grass with cool-toned blades that balance the heuchera’s fiery glow.

Care Instructions: Grow in part shade to full sun with rich, moist, well-drained soil. Protect from harsh afternoon sun unless consistent moisture is provided. Mulch in spring to retain moisture and insulate the crown. Remove old leaves in early spring, and divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain vigour.

History: Bred by Terra Nova Nurseries, Heuchera 'Fire Alarm' was introduced for its intense red foliage colour and improved heat tolerance. It is part of a newer generation of heuchera that combines ornamental appeal with excellent durability in diverse climates.

Final Thoughts: Bold, blazing, and beautifully structured, Heuchera 'Fire Alarm' adds heat and heart to any planting. Whether in a shady nook or a glowing mixed container, it’s a foliage focal point that never fades into the background.