× Heucherella 'Kimono' (Kimono Foamy Bells)

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Heucherella spp.

foamy bells

Saxifragaceae

Garden origin, from North American parent genera

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Heucherella spp., known as foamy bells, is a garden hybrid in the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae, raised by crossing coral bells (Heuchera spp.) with foamflower (Tiarella spp.). Plants form low, rounded mounds of lobed, maple-like leaves 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) high, often patterned with dark central markings or red veining over green to chartreuse ground color. Slender, branching stems carry airy sprays of tiny white to pink bell-shaped flowers from late spring into summer. The hybrids are sterile, so they set no seed and are increased only by division. Foliage holds through mild winters and can take on red and orange tints in cold weather. Plants grow in part shade and humus-rich, well-drained soil, combining the patterned leaves of one parent with the flower sprays of the other. In hot, dry sites the leaf margins scorch and the crowns can lift above the soil over time.

Native Range

Heucherella spp. is a hybrid of garden origin, with no wild range of its own. Its parent genera, Heuchera spp. and Tiarella spp., are both native to the woodlands of North America. The hybrids are grown in gardens across temperate regions.

Suggested Uses

Used in shaded borders, woodland edges, and containers, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart as edging or ground cover. The patterned foliage carries interest where flowers are sparse in shade. The small flowers draw bees and hummingbirds in late spring.

How to Identify

Recognized by mounds of lobed, often maple-shaped leaves marked with dark centers or red veining, paired with thin stems of small, foamy white to pink flowers. The foliage resembles coral bells, while the frothy flower sprays recall foamflower. Plants form tight crowns and spread slowly without running.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'8"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

red

orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring into summer, roughly May to July, with the small flowers held in loose, branching sprays. Some cultivars rebloom lightly if spent stems are removed. The flower display is modest compared with the foliage, which carries the plant through the season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pink

Foliage Description

green to chartreuse with dark or red markings

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 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

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to full clump

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Foamy bells grow in part shade and moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, tolerating more sun in cool-summer climates. Steady moisture suits them, but soggy ground rots the crown over winter. Most cultivars are hardy from USDA zones 4 to 9 and keep their leaves through milder winters. Hot afternoon sun and dry soil scorch the leaf edges. Crowns can heave above the soil after a few years and benefit from lifting and replanting deeper. A spring mulch keeps the roots cool and conserves moisture.

Pruning

Maintenance is limited to removing spent flower stems and tidying worn or scorched leaves. Old foliage is cut away in early spring before new growth appears. Lifting and dividing every few years renews crowns that have heaved or thinned.