''Heuchera americana'', or American alumroot (also called Coral bells or Rock geranium), is a small (under 2 ft. high and wide) evergreen

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

native to eastern and central North America in the Saxifrage family.

Characteristics

Heuchera cultivars at BBC Gardeners' World

American alumroot has lobed semi-

palmate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

green, purple, or brown leaves that may or may not be veined or marbled. Loose

racemes A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the s ...

of insignificant green to cream flowers up to 1 meter tall bloom June to August. Found naturally in rock crevices and ledges of bluffs. This species has become popular with

horticulturists Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...

and home-gardeners. It is usually grown for its unique foliage. New varieties are introduced regularly.

Gallery

Image:American Alumroot Heuchera americana 'Garnet' Leaf 2000px.jpg, ''Heuchera americana'' 'Garnet' leaf Image:American Alumroot Heuchera americana 'Garnet' Head 2000px.jpg, ''Heuchera americana'' 'Garnet' emerging flower stalk

Characteristics

Gallery

References

Further reading