Heuchera 'Palace Purple'

Heuchera 'Palace Purple': Classic Bronze Beauty for Shade

Bold and timeless, Heuchera 'Palace Purple' is celebrated for its deep burgundy-bronze foliage that brings a regal note to the shade garden. The broad, glossy leaves form a dense mound that catches the light with subtle iridescence. Small creamy-white flower sprays appear in early summer, adding gentle lift and contrast to the rich foliage below.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–35 cm (40–50 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 45–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Creamy white
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer
• Foliage: Glossy, maple-shaped leaves in dark purple-bronze tones; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade (best colour in partial sun)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates a range of conditions with organic enrichment

Uses and Benefits: Heuchera 'Palace Purple' remains a classic choice for adding rich foliage colour and mounding texture to shade gardens. Whether massed under trees, used as edging, or featured in containers, it anchors plantings with depth and structure. Deer-resistant and reliable, it mixes beautifully with chartreuse, silver, and green companions for high contrast and seasonal balance.

Companion Plants: Set off the bold tones of Heuchera 'Palace Purple' with the golden variegation of Hosta 'Gold Standard'. Add the fine-textured fronds of Dryopteris 'Brilliance' for softness and autumnal glow. Complete the scene with Carex 'Everglow', a grass-like companion that picks up the warm undertones in the heuchera’s foliage.

Care Instructions: Thrives in part sun to light shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water during dry periods and mulch to retain moisture. Trim back tired foliage in early spring to refresh growth. Divide every 3–4 years to rejuvenate the clump and maintain its bold form.

History: Heuchera 'Palace Purple' was selected from seedling populations of Heuchera micrantha and introduced by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. As one of the earliest foliage-forward heucheras, it helped spark modern interest in colourful, ornamental coral bells.

Final Thoughts: Deeply coloured and endlessly adaptable, Heuchera 'Palace Purple' adds sophistication and stability to the garden. A true classic with lasting appeal, it remains a cornerstone of shade garden design.