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Coral Bells: A Perennial Whose Foliage is Brighter Than Its Flowers - Page 2

© Keith Muraoka

While the coral bells of my grandmother's day would grow and bloom int he hottest areas, one concession with most new hybrids is heat tolerance. Because these hybrids often owe their distinctive foliage patterning to native woodland species, they prefer light or partial shade. In full sun, they'll often get brown or scorched leaves during the hottest weather.

They'll do best where ferns, camellias or impatiens grow. Plants require consistently moist, humus-rich and slightly acid soils to look their best. Most form foot-high mounds threaded in season with numerous 14 to 18-inch flower stalks.

If you want to grow an old-fashioned plant that's been modernized, try coral bells.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terra Nova Nurseries has a story on The New Heucheras at: www.terranovanurseries.com

Perennials with colorful foliage -- that includes coral bells -- are included on two sites: www.penpages is part of Penn State University's College of Agricultural Services. Horticultural and Home Pest News also has an article at: www.ipm.iastate.edu That is part of Iowa State University.

The copyright of the article Coral Bells: A Perennial Whose Foliage is Brighter Than Its Flowers - Page 2 in California Gardening is owned by Keith Muraoka. Permission to republish Coral Bells: A Perennial Whose Foliage is Brighter Than Its Flowers - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.