Hairy heuchera

Hairy heuchera (Heuchera villosa Michx.) – one of the largest species of perennial herbaceous plants in the genus Heuchera of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). The species was first discovered in 1803 by the French traveler and botanist André Michaux and described by him in Fl. Bor.-Amer. (Michaux) 1: 172. 1803.

In the wild it occurs in North America (the Appalachians, the northeast and southeast of the central part of the USA) on rocks and boulders.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant up to 50 cm in height.

Leaves form a large basal rosette, five- to nine-lobed, toothed, velvety, green or greenish-bronze. Petioles thin, long, greenish-pink, pubescent.

Flowers small, greenish-cream, arranged in terminal, loose, narrow, spreading or almost spike-like panicles. The perianth forms a distinct floral tube (hypanthium). The hypanthium is often bell-shaped, also urn-shaped, cylindrical, inversely conical or saucer-shaped, often asymmetrical. Sepals 5, small, colored like the corolla-like calyx. Petals 5, often shorter than the calyx. Stamens 5. Flower stalks numerous, thin, long, slightly drooping at the top, leafless, pubescent.

Ovary inferior. Fruit – a small two-horned capsule. Seeds small, black.

Varieties:

• Heuchera villosa var. Macrorhiza – grows on calcareous soil. Found west of the Appalachians
• Heuchera villosa var. Villosa – grows on acidic soil. Found in the Appalachians and to the east of the mountain range.
• Heuchera villosa var. arkansana (Rydb.) E.B. Sm.

Cultivars: Bronze Wave (natural cultivar), Palace Purple, Carnival Black Olive

Hardiness zone: zone 3 (-34°C).

Location: Light-loving, grows best in a sunny spot, but can tolerate light partial shade or even partial shade if necessary. Drought-tolerant, does not tolerate waterlogging and stagnant moisture in heavy soils. Not demanding in terms of fertility; can grow on any well-drained garden soils. Most decorative on loose, light, well-draining and sufficiently fertile loams.

Planting: Heuchera is planted in March or April. Heuchera has good shade tolerance, so the best place for it is in the partial shade of other plants, where it will receive diffuse light.

Care: Due to the annual upward accumulation of the rhizome base, it is recommended in autumn to earth up the clumps or add a layer of humus or peat. Undemanding. Winter-hardy without protection.

Propagation: By division of the clump, as well as by seed or cuttings. Seeds are sown in March-April in boxes or in cold frames in April. Seedlings are pricked out when two to three true leaves appear into boxes or onto open-ground beds in early June. In winter seedlings are covered with leaves. Plants are planted in their permanent place also in early summer. Young plants flower in the third year after sowing. Division of the clump is carried out in autumn, once every 5–7 years.

Uses: One of the ornamental plants suitable for decorating the shorelines of artificial and natural water bodies. They fit well in borders and group plantings. The plants may also be planted near trees and shrubs, as well as in rock gardens, rockeries, mixed borders, beds and other types of flower gardens. Heuchera pairs well with sedums, irises, hostas, dwarf irises, ornamental grasses, primulas, scillas, crocuses and others.