Heuchera, Alum Root, Alumroot, Coral Bells, Coralbells 'Palace Purple'

Heucheramicrantha

Family
Saxifragaceae (saks-ih-frag-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Heuchera (HEW-ker-a)
Species
micrantha (my-KRANTH-uh)
Synonym
Spacing
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Hardiness
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Sun Exposure
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom Time
Foliage
White/Near White
Other Details
Other details
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Propagation Methods
Herbaceous
Seed Collecting
Category
By dividing the rootball
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Water Requirements
Where to Grow
Perennials
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Moody, Alabama

Kenai, Alaska

Seward, Alaska

Clinton, Arkansas

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hesperia, California(2 reports)

Lompoc, California

Los Angeles, California

Merced, California

San Francisco, California

Peyton, Colorado

Pleasant Valley, Connecticut

Winsted, Connecticut

Keystone Heights, Florida

Decatur, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia

Aurora, Illinois

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Niles, Illinois

Nilwood, Illinois

Peoria, Illinois

Plainfield, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Inwood, Iowa

Sioux City, Iowa

Tracy, Iowa

Shawnee Mission, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Barlow, Kentucky

Ewing, Kentucky

Hebron, Kentucky

Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Hagerstown, Maryland

West Friendship, Maryland

Boxford, Massachusetts

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Dracut, Massachusetts

Milton, Massachusetts

Reading, Massachusetts

Saugus, Massachusetts

Blissfield, Michigan

Brighton, Michigan

Fountain, Michigan

Grand Haven, Michigan

Ludington, Michigan

Owosso, Michigan

Plainwell, Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan

Hopkins, Minnesota

Isle, Minnesota

Kasota, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Young America, Minnesota

Mathiston, Mississippi

Belton, Missouri

Lees Summit, Missouri

Mount Vernon, Missouri

Piedmont, Missouri

Lincoln, Nebraska

Reno, Nevada

Sparks, Nevada

Manchester, New Hampshire

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Medford, New Jersey

Pittstown, New Jersey

Binghamton, New York

Brockport, New York

Bronx, New York

Chemung, New York

Clifton Park, New York

Elba, New York

Granville, New York

Greene, New York

Mechanicville, New York

Southold, New York

Wellsville, New York

Clyde, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Greensboro, North Carolina

Matthews, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Amherst, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio(2 reports)

Clyde, Ohio

Coshocton, Ohio

Fort Jennings, Ohio

Franklin, Ohio

Garrettsville, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Hamilton, Ohio

Williamsburg, Ohio

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Burritts Rapids, Ontario

Portland, Oregon(2 reports)

Springfield, Oregon

Jamison, Pennsylvania

Mercer, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

North Scituate, Rhode Island

Cinisi, Sicily(2 reports)

Conway, South Carolina

Laurens, South Carolina

North Augusta, South Carolina

Christiana, Tennessee

Clarksville, Tennessee

Hixson, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Rockwood, Tennessee

Borger, Texas

Desoto, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Richmond, Texas

Wells, Texas

Kaysville, Utah

Magna, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Chantilly, Virginia

Disputanta, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Linden, Virginia

Newport News, Virginia

Nokesville, Virginia

Oakton, Virginia

Radford, Virginia

Springfield, Virginia

Tazewell, Virginia

Vienna, Virginia

Arlington, Washington

Arlington Heights, Washington

Kirkland, Washington

Oso, Washington

Seattle, Washington(2 reports)

Smokey Point, Washington

Vancouver, Washington

Washougal, Washington

Lesage, West Virginia

Appleton, Wisconsin(2 reports)

Augusta, Wisconsin

Birchwood, Wisconsin

Ellsworth, Wisconsin

Ladysmith, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

New Lisbon, Wisconsin

Omro, Wisconsin

Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Watertown, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

33
positives
11
neutrals
6
negatives
Sort By:
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A
Birchwood, WI (Zone 3b) | 2 weeks ago | positive

I was amazed to read that this plant is hardy to zone 8. This is an old variety of Heuchera. I have two gardens - one in zone 5, and on...Read More

E
E
Wellsville, NY (Zone 4b) | May 2016 | positive

I've had Palace Purple for many years. Requires no care. I have it in full sun in zone 4b with no problem. I have many heucheras and this...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | September 2014 | positive

A valuable ornamental for its purple leaf color, more or less evergreen even here (though it often looks ragged in late winter). It can l...Read More

K
New Lisbon, WI (Zone 4b) | August 2014 | positive

I am so surprised at my Palace Purple. I have them in numerous areas, and they do very well, shade, part shade, and half sun (afternoon!)...Read More

S
Raleigh, NC | December 2013 | positive

Raleigh, North Carolina
I planted in shade, with light dappled sun, mulch , and water in the hot summer. I plant in clumps like ...Read More

M
M
(Robin) Blissfield, MI (Zone 6a) | September 2013 | positive

I have had this plant for over 5 years and it still looks beautiful in almost full shade (under a dense maple tree). It spreads nicely an...Read More

C
Clifton Park, NY | September 2011 | positive

zone 5 - first heuchera I ever got when it first became popular..have divided it many times and have it in many spots - both part sun/pt ...Read More

T
Omro, WI (Zone 4b) | August 2011 | positive

I planted 'Palace Purple' about 2 years ago when I moved into this house and I'm very pleased with how it's growing.

There...Read More

A
Birchwood, WI (Zone 3b) | August 2011 | positive

Reading over the previous comments about this plant, and growing it in two locations as I do (Wisconsin & Nebraska), I would have to say ...Read More

L
L
Desoto, TX (Zone 8a) | July 2011 | negative

Have to agree with those that say it just slowly disappears.

This summer has been especially hard. They are in dappled sh...Read More

J
Franklin, OH | June 2011 | neutral

I have several Palace Purple Coralbells that have done wonderful and thrived in morning sun/afternoon shade. They provide an excellent c...Read More

N
Medford, NJ | April 2011 | positive

They grow rather well in my sandy South Jersey soil. Deer seem to leave them alone, but groundhogs love them (and pulmonaria and purple c...Read More

M
Hopkins, MN (Zone 4a) | November 2010 | positive

Palace Purple was the first type of heuchera I planted, and it is one of the best. This variety can tolerate anything from full shade to...Read More

K
Jamison, PA | June 2010 | positive

I have these planted around my mailbox (full sun near Philly, PA). I have them interspersed with pachysandra. I was so surprised how well...Read More

K
Austin, TX (Zone 8b) | September 2008 | neutral

I've grown these in containers quite a bit in central texas, bc I like the size and foliage. They have always down well for me. Don't ove...Read More

G
Plainwell, MI (Zone 5b) | September 2008 | positive

These plants are wonderful performers for me. Iv'e have mine for well over 10 years. All I do is dig up a few and spread them around the...Read More

A
A
Washougal, WA (Zone 6b) | June 2008 | positive

Here in southwest WA, this plant gets eaten by the deer! Just thought I should mention that, since it's on several local nursery deer re...Read More

M
Winsted, CT | May 2008 | positive

the tag on mine also says part shade (3-6 hours of sun) , and thats pretty much wrong. Ours are planted in full shade and thrive there, a...Read More

J
Boxford, MA (Zone 6a) | January 2008 | positive

This plant is a strong positive IF:
You live in a cooler zone and/or want to use it as a "filler" for a mixed shady border (and ha...Read More

L
L
Raleigh, NC | June 2007 | neutral

When I moved into the house I'm presently living in I delighted in discovering the variety of plants I inherited in the gardens and gladl...Read More

D
Greensboro, NC (Zone 7a) | March 2007 | neutral

This is the first heuchera I purchased. I found a 6 pack at a Wmart for about $2 5 or 6 years ago and have had them planted in container...Read More

T
Nokesville, VA (Zone 7a) | August 2006 | positive

Here in Manassas,VA I have several Purple Palace coral bells planted under the edge of our deck facing east. They are doing very well an...Read More

E
E
Orangeville, ON (Zone 4b) | June 2006 | neutral

I gave this heuch a neutral rating only because I feel that there are nicer-looking dark heuchs out there. I planted this one in Sept 2...Read More

S
(Zone 6a) | March 2006 | positive

Great plant for part shade. Flowers early/mid-summer but because of the nature of the flowers on this variety they look almost the same w...Read More

C
West Friendship, MD (Zone 6b) | February 2006 | positive

This is one of my favorite plants and I use it as a repeating theme in my gardens. It's a welcome dark splash of color against evergreen...Read More

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | February 2006 | positive

This cultivar belongs to a small group of Heuchera villosa or micrantha?There are quite a numbers of heuchera species, so cultivation is ...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | neutral

For me, it does better with some sun. There is always a lot of nice new growth at the base, so when the older leaves start looking bad, ...Read More

P
P
(Arlene) Southold, NY (Zone 7a) | December 2005 | positive

We've grown this one, in full sun, for years, without a problem. Once in awhile I get a burned leaf and just cut it off. Little enough w...Read More

C
Lompoc, CA (Zone 10a) | December 2005 | negative

This plant was good in the begining, but soon after it was thining out and not looking to hot. I thought i was over feeding it or somethi...Read More

S
Oakton, VA (Zone 7a) | November 2005 | neutral

We first planted 11 in an area that got afternoon sun. They didn't like that one bit. I transplanted the 5 plants that survived to a be...Read More

T
T
Kenai, AK | November 2005 | positive

This is one of the hardiest coral bells for my zone. Very strong plant.

F
Manchester, NH | August 2005 | positive

I planted mine in one spot in part sun and shade two years ago and haven't touched it since. It does great right where it is and I actual...Read More

F
(Zone 8a) | July 2005 | positive

I managed to confuse this with 'Chocolate Ruffles', so am changing my entry.. In my opinion, 'Palace Purple' is mildly above average - ha...Read More

T
Hesperia, CA (Zone 8a) | June 2005 | neutral

I grow this plant in zone 8, a high desert area. It gets very little sun and does okay but is a heavy water user. Will wilt easily on hot days.

C
C
Cleveland, OH (Zone 5b) | June 2005 | negative

Ahhhh, much disappointment. I bought Palace Purple to use in a large window box that gets about 5 hours of afternoon sun. The leaves ha...Read More

M
Linden, VA (Zone 6a) | April 2005 | positive

I have plants in both partial shade and full sun areas. The ones in part shade don't grow or color much - they just fill space. But the o...Read More

K
K
(Zone 7a) | April 2005 | positive

Very nice looking plant and gets bigger with age. I read all the negatives about this plant. I also noticed that the zones were very clos...Read More

N
Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) | March 2005 | positive

'Palace Purple' is widely available, and inexpensive. I bought a six-pack of plants to stick in assorted bare spots in dry shade, and th...Read More

L
Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) | October 2004 | positive

I've used several cultivars of Heuchura in various places in my gardens. They seem equally at home here (zone 5) whether they're planted...Read More

O
O
OMC
Dothan, AL | July 2004 | negative

I love the leaves on Palace Purple, but after two years, it died. I put in partial shade because I live in Alabama. The summers get very ...Read More

V
Warrenville, IL | June 2004 | positive

I live in the Chicago area and have had 'Purple Palace' for eight years with most intense color in full sun. A few years ago, I moved se...Read More

V
(Zone 8a) | June 2004 | neutral

In Houston, I have this planted in part shade and it has done well for 1 1/2 year. However, I did not expect it to be so slooooooow. Wi...Read More

G
Bloomington, IL | May 2004 | positive

My favorite heuchera! I'm in zone 5b (central IL). 4 are on the west side of the house and get sun from sunrise to about noon. These are ...Read More

V
Springfield, VA | May 2004 | positive

My Purple Palace Heuchera have been slow, but steady growers. I thought I lost two out of three after last winter, but they have rebound...Read More

T
Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) | May 2004 | neutral

I agree with the other comments above: Needs shade, moist soil, and the flowers are so diminutive that I cut them off because they detrac...Read More

B
Columbia Falls, MT | May 2004 | positive

I live in zone 3 and there aren't very many decorative plants that want to live here. I bought the Purple palace as a part shade fill...Read More

S
Old Town, FL | August 2003 | negative

My experience with the purple leaved coralbells has not been good. The "tag" said "sun to light shade," but I found the leaves burned ev...Read More

K
K
Mount Prospect, IL (Zone 5a) | August 2003 | neutral

Of the vast variety of "dark-leaved" heucheras, this is not necessarily my favorite. And, yes, if you have hot summers, you cannot plant...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | January 2003 | positive

This is a seed-grown strain, rather than clonal cuttings, so the plants vary wildly. Growing them in light shade seems to protect the fo...Read More

J
J
Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) | November 2002 | negative

I've seen heucheras listed as sun, drought-resistant plants on occasion, but that hasn't worked here for me in zone 9 coastal Nor. CA. Th...Read More

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