Palace Purple Coral Bells
Heuchera micrantha
Palace Purple Coral Bells (Heuchera micrantha) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 18–24 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun. Bronze-purple foliage; airy white flower sprays; shade-garden staple.
On the CSU listmedium water18–24 in tall and 12–18 in wideZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Noah How, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: Walter Siegmund (talk), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 5: Walter Siegmund (talk), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 6: Didier Descouens, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations, Dry shade under conifers
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 18–24 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Palace Purple Coral Bells good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Palace Purple Coral Bells is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Palace Purple Coral Bells get?
- It matures to about 18–24 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Palace Purple Coral Bells?
- Space Palace Purple Coral Bells about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Palace Purple Coral Bells hardy on the Front Range?
- Palace Purple Coral Bells is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Palace Purple Coral Bells need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Palace Purple Coral Bells native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Palace Purple Coral Bells deer-resistant?
- Palace Purple Coral Bells is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Palace Purple Coral Bells a good firewise plant near the house?
- Palace Purple Coral Bells is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Palace Purple Coral Bells bloom?
- Palace Purple Coral Bells blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
