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Heuchera 'Marmalade'

marmalade coral bells

Saxifragaceae

Cultivar origin; Heuchera genus native to North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

Watermoderate

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Heuchera 'Marmalade' is a coral bells with amber-orange foliage, growing 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) tall as a foliage mound with flower stalks reaching 18–24 inches (45–60 cm). Leaves in amber to burnt-orange tones with heavily ruffled margins — the undersides are magenta-pink, visible when the ruffled edges curl. Foliage color shifts with temperature: cooler weather intensifies the orange-amber tones; warm summer temperatures shift toward sienna-brown. Compared to Heuchera 'Balboa Sunset' (peach, copper, rose, coral palette): 'Marmalade' is warmer and more orange with more pronounced ruffling and visible magenta undersides. Small pink tubular flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) on thin wiry stems in late spring to early summer — hummingbird-pollinated. Plant with the crown slightly above soil level — crown rot in heavy wet soil is the primary cause of death in Heuchera spp.. Native North American genus. Evergreen in mild zones; semi-evergreen in zones 4–5. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 4–9. Partial shade — morning sun with afternoon shade in zones 7+; full sun in cool climates. Vine weevil larvae feed on roots — wilting despite moist soil indicates root damage. The shallow crown heaves in freeze-thaw cycles — mulch around (not over) the crown. Divide every 3–4 years when the woody crown rises above soil level.

Native Range

The Heuchera spp. genus is native to North America. Cultivar origin through hybridization.

Suggested Uses

Grown in borders, containers of 1–3 gallons (4–12 liters), and woodland-edge plantings, spaced 14–18 inches (35–45 cm) apart. Partial shade. Plant with crown slightly above soil level. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4–9.

How to Identify

Identified by amber to burnt-orange heavily ruffled leaves with magenta-pink undersides on a compact mounding perennial. The orange-amber color with visible magenta undersides and the heavy ruffling are the cultivar identifiers. Distinguished from 'Balboa Sunset' by the warmer orange tone and more pronounced ruffling.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10" - 2'

Width/Spread1'2" - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Small pink tubular flowers on thin wiry stems 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) in late spring to early summer, lasting 3–4 weeks. Hummingbird-pollinated.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink, small, tubular

Foliage Description

Amber to burnt-orange with ruffled margins; undersides magenta-pink

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Partial shade — morning sun / afternoon shade in zones 7+; full sun in cool zones. Plant with crown slightly above soil level. Well-draining soil. Mulch around (not over) crown in winter. Vine weevil larvae on roots. Divide every 3–4 years. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4–9.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stalks at the base after blooming. Trim damaged leaves at the petiole. Divide every 3–4 years when the woody crown rises above soil level — replant divisions with crowns slightly above the surface.

Pruning Schedule

spring