Heuchera villosa
Heuchera villosa, also known as hairy alum root, is a type of coral bells that can be found in rocky wooded slopes from Virginia to Georgia and Tennessee. It is known for its large, hairy, triangularly-lobed, sharply-toothed, green leaves with a velvety texture, as well as its hairy, rusty-brown flowering stems and leaf stalks. It typically blooms in mid to late summer, making it one of the latest bloomers in its genus. The leaves usually form a rounded basal clump that can grow to be 18-24” tall and wide. In late summer, it produces tiny, whitish to pinkish flowers in open, airy panicles on slender, wiry stems that rise above the foliage mound to 36” tall.
For optimal growth, it is best to plant Heuchera villosa in organically rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. While it can thrive in full sun in cooler climates, it prefers some shade, especially in hot climates to protect it from the afternoon heat. This species has good drought tolerance and tends to do better in hot and humid summers compared to most heucheras, although some scorching and general foliage decline may occur if the soil dries out. If grown in full sun, it's important to maintain consistent moisture. To encourage additional bloom, remove the stems of faded flowers. In warm winter climates, the foliage is evergreen, but in colder winter climates, the amount of retained foliage color depends largely on the severity of the temperatures. In cold winter climates, applying winter mulch after the ground freezes can help prevent root heaving. It's recommended to divide clumps in spring every 3-4 years.
Height: 1'-2'
Spread: 1'-1.5'
Bloom: April-June
Light: Part Shade
Water: Medium
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Origin: North America