The final member of my favorite triad, x Heucherella, is a bigeneric cross between Heuchera and Tiarella and so, is sterile. Like many sterile plants, the Heucherellas express their hybrid vigor in larger plants with more and longer flowering, often reblooming in late summer or early fall. The genus x Heucherella is said to be a bit fussier to satisfy than either parent, but I haven't found that to be true in my garden. This poor reputation may have been attached because they do not handle the heat and humidity in the South with any grace at all. I say, hurrah for us! Southerners, eat your heart out! The plants definitely prefer shade to sun. However, early morning sun seems OK. My oldest one 'Bridget Bloom' is starting her fourth season with me this year and I wouldn't want to garden without her. I have a couple of new ones that I am anxious to see in their second year - 'Viking Ship' and 'Kimono'. I'm looking for 'Vesuvius' for a spot where its dark foliage will be a great counterpoint for my Tiarella 'Heronswood Mist'.
Don't let them dry out, but be sure they have good drainage, especially in winter. That is important for Heuchera and Tiarella species too.
I am going to have to move several Heuchera plants from an area where we are building a retaining wall this spring. I think that I will plan now to underplant them this fall with early spring tulips in the Kaufmaniana group. The beautiful rosettes of the Heuchera leaves will be a great coverup for the ripening foliage of the tulips and I will have something else to anticipate while I wait for my "favorite things".
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