There are around 50 species and more than a thousand varieties of the hardy purple bell, also known as Heuchera. Anyone looking for a select and all-round attractive specimen is spoiled for choice: Which variety is suitable?
Which purple bell varieties are particularly popular?
Popular purple bell varieties are 'Rio' with bright red foliage and a full sun location, 'Marmalade' with purple-green foliage and a partially shaded location and 'Blackberry Jam' with dark purple foliage and light pink patterns in partial shade.
How the varieties differ significantly
Certainly not every variety will suit your taste. Therefore, you should determine from the outset what is most important to you. The varieties differ primarily in terms of:
- Growth habit
- Growth height (15 cm to 90 cm)
- Flower color
- Flowering time
- Leaf Color
- Location requirement that is based on the foliage color
The three most popular varieties
In this country there are three varieties that are most commonly found in garden centers and are rightly considered the most popular varieties:
- 'Rio': bright red (yellow to brown in autumn) foliage, blooms in September, full sun
- 'Jam': purple-green foliage, low growth, partial shade
- 'Blackberry Jam': dark purple foliage with light pink pattern, partial shade
Other patterned varieties
| Basic color | Secondary color | Special feature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Mint Frost’ | silverygreen | dark green | slightly pink in autumn |
| ‘Petite Pearl Fairy’ | bronze red | silvery | medium pink flowers |
| ‘Pinot Gris’ | pink gray/light red | green | strongly changing foliage color |
| ‘Strawberry Swirl’ | green | silvery | |
| ‘Frosted Violet’ | pink purple | silvery | Pattern looks speckled |
| ‘Cassian’ | green | silvery-dark green |
Varieties that impress with their flower color
The flowers of the purple bells also look great when they are strikingly colored. These varieties, for example, have particularly attractive flowers and are recommended:
- ‘Gracillima’: salmon pink flowers
- ‘Red Spangles’ salmon red flowers
- ‘Silver Rain’: snow-white flowers
- ‘Scintillation’: pink flowers
Varieties that impress with their foliage color
Two varieties impress above all with their foliage color that stands out from other varieties: 'Mocha' and Purple Petticoats'. The former has brown-black leaves, white flowers and blooms until October! The latter has dark purple to brown-purple leaves on the top and dark purple underneath. They are best kept in a sunny location.
Tip
In addition to the hybrids bred, two other species are also popular: the purple bell and the garden silverbell.
