Heucherella 'Solar Power'

Heucherella 'Solar Power': Bright Foliage That Illuminates the Shade

Luminous and golden, Heucherella 'Solar Power' brings a steady glow to the shaded garden with its radiant foliage and compact form. The deeply lobed leaves emerge in vibrant yellow-lime and are accented by rich red veining through the centre, creating a high-contrast, sunlit effect even in dappled light. In late spring, delicate white flower sprays rise above the mound, adding movement and drawing pollinators into the shadows.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–25 cm (30–35 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 35–45 cm
• Flower Colour: Soft white
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Yellow to lime with deep red centres; maple-shaped and semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade; best colour with some morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Uses and Benefits: Heucherella 'Solar Power' is a natural brightener for shaded gardens, offering bold contrast to deeper greens and purples. Its tidy habit and vivid colouring make it an excellent choice for edging paths, filling containers, or creating low mounds of colour beneath trees and shrubs. It is deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and provides season-long interest, holding its form and brightness well into autumn.

Companion Plants: Let Heucherella 'Solar Power' shine beside the fine, arching texture of Carex 'Blue Zinger', which tempers the gold with cool blue tones. Add Hosta 'June Spirit' for a complementary echo of yellow and green foliage. Complete the composition with Dryopteris 'Brilliance', whose emerging copper-toned fronds subtly mirror the red veining in the heucherella’s leaves.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade with moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Provide regular water during dry periods, especially in containers. Cut back old foliage in early spring and divide every 3–4 years to rejuvenate the plant and maintain its vibrant form.

History: Heucherella 'Solar Power' was introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries as part of their continued work in developing foliage-forward hybrids for shade. Selected for its saturated colour and compact habit, it’s a cross between Heuchera and Tiarella, designed to bring high contrast and reliable structure to the darker corners of the garden.

Final Thoughts: With its golden leaves and crimson heart, Heucherella 'Solar Power' is both a beacon and a bridge—connecting shade to light, texture to form, and foliage to floral grace. It’s a quietly radiant addition to any well-curated shade planting.