Heuchera, or coral bells, is a well-loved perennial that brings vibrant colors and texture to gardens with its stunning foliage. Ranging from deep purples and reds to vibrant greens, heuchera can enhance any garden. However, to truly make your heuchera shine, it’s important to pair it with the right companion plants.
Companion planting is the practice of choosing plants that grow well together, benefiting each other by improving soil conditions, providing natural pest control, or complementing each other aesthetically. When choosing companion plants for heuchera, it’s essential to look for plants that not only enhance the visual appeal but also support each other’s growth.
This article will guide you through the benefits of companion planting, why certain plants work well with heuchera, and which companions will help you create a thriving, beautiful garden.
Why Companion Plant Heuchera?
Companion planting offers several benefits for gardeners, especially when paired with heuchera. Here are some of the key advantages:
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Visual Appeal: Heuchera comes in an array of colorful foliage, and its beauty is further highlighted when paired with the right plants. Companion plants can provide contrasting or complementary textures and colors that create a harmonious and dynamic garden.
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Improved Plant Health: Some plants provide shade, others improve soil conditions, and others help repel pests. Combining heuchera with these plants can help keep your garden healthy and flourishing.
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Support Growth: Certain companion plants can help retain moisture, regulate temperature, or provide ground cover. Nitrogen-fixing plants can also enrich the soil, which benefits heuchera and other nearby plants.
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Attracting Pollinators: Heuchera attracts pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which benefit from nearby flowering plants. Pairing heuchera with additional flowering plants can create a pollinator-friendly garden.
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Seasonal Interest: Heuchera blooms in late spring and summer, but adding plants with different bloom times helps keep your garden colorful throughout the year.
Now that you understand why companion planting is beneficial for heuchera, let’s explore which plants pair best with it.
Best Companion Plants for Heuchera
When selecting companion plants for heuchera, it's important to consider their growing habits, colors, and soil preferences. Here are some of the best plants that complement heuchera both functionally and aesthetically.
1. Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are one of the best companions for heucheras, as they thrive in similar growing conditions, particularly in shaded or partially shaded areas.
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Why it works: Hostas provide a contrast in size and texture with their large, broad leaves, which make a beautiful visual contrast to heuchera’s smaller, more delicate foliage. They also help in filling up space and providing ground cover.
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Planting tip: For a stunning contrast, pair dark-colored heucheras like Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ with a lighter hosta variety, such as Hosta ‘Frosted Jade’, for a striking look.
2. Astilbes (Astilbe spp.)
Astilbes are known for their feathery, plume-like flowers that bloom in pink, white, and red hues. Their foliage and flowers can add both height and color to a garden.
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Why it works: Both astilbes and heucheras enjoy similar growing conditions—partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Astilbes bloom around the same time as heucheras, creating a coordinated and lush garden display. Their airy, delicate flowers contrast beautifully with the dense foliage of heuchera.
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Planting tip: Pair Heuchera ‘Paris’ with a pink or red astilbe for a vibrant, well-balanced color combination.
3. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding heart plants are known for their delicate, heart-shaped pink or white flowers that hang from arching stems, making them a beautiful addition to any shaded garden.
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Why it works: Both bleeding hearts and heucheras thrive in shaded spots with rich, moist soil. The pale flowers of the bleeding heart plant contrast nicely with the vibrant foliage of heuchera, adding a touch of elegance to the garden.
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Planting tip: Combine Heuchera ‘Blackberry Jam’, with its deep purple foliage, and a white-flowering bleeding heart for a soft, romantic color scheme.
4. Heucherella (Heucherella spp.)
Heucherella is a hybrid plant, a cross between heuchera and tiarella, that shares many characteristics with heuchera, making it an excellent companion.
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Why it works: Heucherella has similar growing needs to heuchera, but its lighter foliage offers a complementary contrast. These plants thrive together and make a beautiful duo.
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Planting tip: Pair Heucherella ‘Sweet Tea’ with Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ for a dynamic mix of color and texture.
5. Ferns (Various Species)
Ferns, with their feathery fronds, add a graceful, soft texture to the garden, making them a great complement to the bold foliage of heuchera.
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Why it works: Both plants thrive in shaded, moist environments, and the airy, delicate ferns provide contrast to the more rigid, colorful heuchera foliage. Ferns can also fill in the lower levels of your garden, helping to create a layered, natural look.
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Planting tip: Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum) and Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) are excellent choices to pair with heucheras, creating a lush, woodland garden aesthetic.
6. Primroses (Primula spp.)
Primroses add a burst of color to the garden, with their early-season flowers in vibrant hues of pink, purple, and yellow. These plants bloom in spring, providing an early source of color before heuchera fully matures.
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Why it works: Primroses thrive in similar conditions to heuchera, particularly in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. Their bright blooms complement the colorful foliage of heuchera, and their early flowers offer a refreshing touch to your garden before other plants begin to bloom.
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Planting tip: Combine Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’, with its bright green foliage, with a yellow primrose for a fresh, lively spring garden.
7. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
Daylilies are hardy perennials that produce striking flowers in a wide range of colors, including red, orange, and yellow. They bloom in mid-summer and can provide height and contrast to your garden.
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Why it works: The upright form of daylilies contrasts nicely with the low-growing heuchera. Their bright flowers add a pop of color during the summer months, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the garden.
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Planting tip: Pair Heuchera ‘Caramel’ with an orange or yellow daylily variety for a vibrant and eye-catching combination.
8. Sedums (Sedum spp.)
Sedums, or stonecrop, are succulents that thrive in dry, well-drained soil. Their fleshy, thick leaves provide an interesting texture and contrast to the softer leaves of heuchera.
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Why it works: Sedums require less water and are more drought-tolerant than heucheras, making them perfect companions for slightly drier areas of your garden. Their late-summer blooms add color and interest as your heuchera’s foliage matures.
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Planting tip: Pair Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ for a stunning combination of purple and pink hues.
9. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing ground cover with bright green, round leaves that spread quickly, making it ideal for filling in the lower levels of your garden.
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Why it works: Creeping Jenny thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade, just like heuchera. Its bright green foliage contrasts nicely with the darker leaves of heuchera, while its spreading growth helps to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
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Planting tip: Use Creeping Jenny around Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ to create a dramatic contrast between the dark foliage of the heuchera and the vibrant green of the creeping Jenny.
10. Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum)
Shasta daisies are cheerful, white-flowered perennials that bloom in mid-summer. Their simple flowers provide a contrast to the more intricate foliage of heuchera.
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Why it works: Shasta daisies add height to the garden and their white flowers pair beautifully with the colorful foliage of heuchera. They also bloom during the summer, keeping the garden vibrant while other plants, like heuchera, continue to thrive.
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Planting tip: Pair Heuchera ‘Caramel’ with Shasta Daisies to create a bright, fresh garden look.
Conclusion
Pairing heuchera with the right companion plants can greatly enhance your garden's beauty, health, and diversity. Whether you’re looking for plants that complement heuchera’s colors, provide beneficial shade, or attract pollinators, there are many great options to choose from. From hostas and astilbes to ferns and sedums, these companion plants not only support heuchera but also bring out the best in it. By thoughtfully selecting companions, you can create a harmonious, thriving garden that will provide enjoyment year-round.