Heuchera 'Midnight Rose'
Coral bells
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Supplied as an established plant in a 3 litre pot
Aspect
Partial shade to full shade
Hardiness
Fully hardy
Flowers
Early summer
Soil
Loam, sand, clay
About this plant
Dark, speckled foliage for year-round drama
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Description
Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' is a striking, evergreen perennial grown primarily for its dramatic foliage, which emerges deep burgundy-black in spring and develops distinctive pink and cream speckles and splashes across the leaves as the season progresses, creating an ever-changing and highly ornamental display. Slender stems of small, creamy-white flowers appear in early summer, adding a delicate contrast to the bold foliage below. It forms a neat, compact mound that suits the front of a partially shaded border, woodland-style planting, or a container on a sheltered terrace, and its evergreen habit ensures it contributes colour and interest to the garden through the winter months. -
Why we like it
Key features
What makes it special
Fully hardy — comes back every year
Evergreen, year-round interest
Colourful foliage
WATCH
30 second portraits
Heuchera: year-round colour from foliage alone
Specs & details
The particulars
- Botanical name
- Heuchera 'Midnight Rose'
- Common name
- Coral bells
- Supplied as
- 3 litre pot
- Flower colour
- White
- Eventual height
- 30–45 cm (in flower)
- Eventual spread
- 30–45 cm
- Flowering period
- Early summer
- Habit
- Compact mound-forming evergreen perennial
- Life cycle
- Evergreen perennial
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Aspect
- Partial shade to full shade
- Soil type
- Loam, sand, clay
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Position
- Front of border, woodland garden, shaded border, patio container
- Plant spacing
- 5–6 plants per m²
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
Plant calendar
When to plant, when it performs
Planting & care
Help it thrive
Planting guide
Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' thrives in a moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in partial shade. It will tolerate full shade but the foliage colour is richest and most dramatic in a position that receives some indirect light through the day. It will also tolerate full sun provided the soil remains consistently moist, though the leaves may scorch in very hot, dry conditions. On thin, sandy soils, incorporate plenty of garden compost or leaf mould before planting to improve moisture retention. Avoid waterlogged soils, particularly over winter, as heucheras are susceptible to crown rot in wet conditions. Plant at the same depth as in the pot and space around 35 cm apart. In containers, use a good loam-based or peat-free compost with reasonable drainage.
Care tips
Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' is a low-maintenance plant once established. Remove any damaged or tatty foliage in late winter or early spring to allow fresh growth to emerge cleanly. If the crown gradually rises above soil level over time, top-dress around it with fresh compost in spring to encourage new root formation and keep the plant stable and well anchored. Divide congested clumps every three to four years in spring, replanting the younger outer sections and discarding the older, woodier central portions. No regular feeding is required on reasonably fertile soils; a light top-dressing of balanced fertiliser or garden compost in spring is sufficient. The flower stems can be removed after flowering if preferred, though they are not unattractive and can be left until the late winter tidy.
Winter care
Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' is fully hardy in most parts of the UK and requires no winter protection. Being evergreen, it retains its foliage through winter, providing useful colour and ground cover during the colder months. In late winter or early spring, remove any foliage that has become damaged, tatty, or flattened by winter weather, cutting back cleanly to the base of the crown. Heucheras can gradually push their crowns above soil level over time; if this occurs, top-dress around the crown with fresh compost or leaf mould in spring to encourage new roots to form and keep the plant stable. Divide congested clumps every three to four years in spring to maintain vigour.