Plant, maintain, multiply and more

Plant purple blobs correctly

Careful soil preparation sets the course for a long perennial life in the partially shaded location. Loosen the humus rich, nutrient-rich soil deeply to enrich it with compost, Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) and Rock flour.(€ 12.33 at Amazon *) If in doubt, improve the permeability with sand, Perlite(€ 39.50 at Amazon *) or fine grit, because in waterlogging Purple bells no chance of survival. Please set the potted young plants a little deeper, as the root ball often pushes upwards. Before doing with leaves or clippings mulch, pour on with normal tap water.

Care tips

Your purple bells pull out all the floral registers when they are given this care:

• If it is dry, water it moderately without soaking the soil
• Add compost to the rootstocks that protrude from the ground
• Bed perennials in March / April and June / July fertilize with compost, horn shavings and rock flour
• Apply liquid fertilizer in the pot from May to September every 4 weeks
• Regularly clean off withered flower stalks
• In autumn, cut back just above the evergreen ornamental foliage
• Cut back close to the ground in late winter, in good time before the new shoots

Modern Heuchera varieties have a robust winter hardiness. We only recommend protection in the form of leaves, coniferous sticks or compost in exposed locations. Planters are not given away, but are given a winter coat made of jute, fleece or foil and a warm base made of wood or styrofoam.
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Which location is suitable?

Within the exuberant spectrum of splendid types and varieties, the right purple bells can be found for every design requirement. Although the perennials differ in terms of height, flower and foliage color, they conform to the ideal location conditions. We have put together all the relevant criteria for you here:

• Sunny to partially shaded location
• Fresh, well-drained and sandy-loamy soil
• A neutral to alkaline pH of 7.0 to 8.0

Do not expose your new favorite perennial to the blazing sun or permanent shade. Under these extreme conditions, the flower fades and the breathtaking foliage does not appear.
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The correct planting distance

The clump-like, expansive habitus of purple bells requires a generous plant spacing so that the decorative effect comes into its own. Arrange the perennials in the bed at a distance of 35-40 cm from each other. For cultivation in the tub and balcony box, please reduce this value by 5 cm. If you have intended Heuchera as a decorative ground cover, place 6-8 specimens per square meter.

What soil does the plant need?

Welcome your purple bells with a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and well-drained soil. The ornamental perennials like to stretch their roots in moderately dry to freshly moist soil that contains some lime. These rather modest demands make it easy for us to choose the substrate for pots and balcony boxes. A good compost-based potted plant soil fulfills expectations if it is mixed with a handful of perlite, fine grit and Rock flour is enriched.

What is the best time to plant?

Heuchera grown in a container can be planted during the entire growing season. The ideal planting time extends over the months of August and September. At this time, young purple bells find ideal conditions in the sun-warm soil for rapid rooting until winter.

When is the flowering time?

From spring until well into autumn, purple bells set colorful accents in your garden and on the balcony. Combined correctly, the flowering period extends from May to October. Use the following overview of the most popular species for your inspiration:

• Real purple bells (Heuchera sanguinea): flowering time from May to July
• Small-flowered purple bell (Heuchera micrantha): Flowering period from June to September
• Pointed-leaved purple bells (Heuchera villosa): Flowering period from July to October

Please keep in mind that the jewelry value of purple bells is by no means limited to the flower panicles. With the most magnificent species, it is the breathtakingly colored leaves that fascinate us all year round with their iridescent nuances.
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Cut purple goblets correctly

If you cut off the faded flower stems down to the basal foliage, you can look forward to a second bloom. When the garden year draws to a close, only withered flower stalks are cut off. Enjoy the impressive winter aspect of the decorative leaves until early spring. In February, cut the perennial close to the ground to make room for fresh shoots.
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Pour purple blobs

With a view of the dense, evergreen foliage, purple bells need to be watered all year round. Check regularly with a thumb test whether the soil or substrate has dried on. Water the perennials only moderately, as waterlogging causes root rot within a short time and the plants die. Please note that additional watering may be necessary even after a light summer rain, as the raindrops do not penetrate to the ground. If winter comes with clear frost, water the Heuchera in the bed and tub on mild days.

Fertilize purple blobs properly

In terms of nutrient supply, purple bells are unexpectedly modest. In the bed, the magnificent perennials are satisfied with compost, horn shavings and rock flour in March / April and again in June / July. Please work the organic material only superficially into the soil and then pour. If heuchera thrive in the planter, add a little liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every month from May to September.

Overwinter

As a typical saxifrage plant, purple bells are very hardy in Central Europe. Only in areas with very cold and long winters is protection from the cold outdoors recommended. Ideally, cover the perennial with a thick layer of leaves, fixed with fir fronds. A protective layer of compost has also proven itself in gardening practice. Please do not carry your Heuchera in a pot to frost-free winter quarters. The plants need a cold period so that they sprout again in the next spring. Instead, wrap the vessel with bubble wrap and place it on a block of wood in front of the south wall of the house.

Propagate purple bells

The multi-faceted variety of species and varieties of purple bells awakens a passion for collecting in us. In order to fulfill the wish for more specimens, these uncomplicated methods of propagation are available:

• Division of the root ball in spring or autumn
• Cut head cuttings in summer so that they can take root in a small pot
• Harvest the capsule fruits with the dark seeds and sowing behind glass from February

In contrast to vegetative propagation by means of division or cuttings, sowing can give you headaches. Some of the most beautiful strains are sterile, so they won't produce seed pods. If you get hold of the seeds, stratification is required. The seeds can only be motivated to germinate with a cold stimulus at temperatures between - 4 and + 4 degrees Celsius.
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How do I transplant properly?

After 3-4 years the vitality of purple bells diminishes noticeably. The flower becomes poorer and the previously bright leaf color becomes dull. Now is the right time for a makeover. In autumn, pick up the root ball and divide it into segments with at least 2 buds. At the new location, the sections are placed in the soil that has been prepared with compost and rock flour. In the following period, water abundantly and regularly, and the rejuvenated perennials will take root quickly.

Purpurgloeckchen in the pot

In the pot, purple bells transform partially shaded places on the balcony and terrace into colorful, evergreen retreats. So that the plan succeeds, drainage from potsherds under the well-drained substrate effectively prevents waterlogging. Please always water Heuchera in the planter when the surface of the earth is 2-3 cm dry. Gradually let the water run onto the root ball. As soon as the coaster fills up, the current watering requirement is covered. From May to September, monthly doses of liquid fertilizer give your ornamental flowering plants and foliage new zest. Please do not put the tubs away, as Heuchera are dependent on the cold stimulus of winter to induce flowers. Instead, place the vessels on wood and wrap them with foil, fleece or jute tape. The withered flower stalks are cut down to the foliage. The leaves themselves are only cut back close to the ground shortly before the new shoots.

Is purple goblet poisonous?

Beautify your family garden with the non-toxic purple bells without worries. No Heuchera species or variety poses a health hazard for humans or animals.
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Trivia

The high appreciation of the enchanting purple bell was received on 4. December 2014 a special honor. On this day, the Deutsche Bundespost issued a new postage stamp as part of the flower series. The postage stamp with the value of 395 euro cents has since been adorned with a depiction of a red blooming purple bell.

Nice varieties

• Fireflies: Premium variety with spherical growth and scarlet flower panicles from June to July; Growth height 10-60 cm
• Berry Smoothie: Breathtakingly beautiful silver bells with iridescent, berry-colored leaves and white flowers; 50-60 cm
• Plum pudding: winner with wavy, plum-purple leaves and pink-white flowers; 50-60 cm
• Autumn Leaves: Enthusiastic with the color of the leaves from light red to peach to wine red over the course of the year; 40-50 cm
• Silver Streak: A pale pink flower rises above the bronze-colored, silvery shimmering leaves; 30-40 cm
• Sweet Tea: Fantastically beautiful with tea-colored, silvery heart leaves and cream-colored flower panicles; 40-50 cm
• Shanghai: Waiting for you with dark purple, maple-shaped leaves under filigree, white bell flowers; 25-40 cm
• Solar Eclipse: The red-brown heart leaves are adorned with a neon green border; a feast for the eyes in bed and tub; 40-50 cm
• Tiramisu: noble hybrid whose creamy white flowers rise above yellow, rust-red leaves; 40-50 cm