Coral Bells

Heuchera spp.

This plant has beautiful foliage and perfectly acceptable flowers (they create a nice flower haze are great cut flowers).

They are mostly hybridized from native species, but the dark leaved varieties are heavily hybridized and they are not a favorite food of wildlife - purple is bitter (which is why we use purple leaves more as a garnish) Even though they aren’t great at supporting wildlife, their compact size and vigor add a touch of order to a border that can become disorganized over the season.

They are very tough once established - they can grow surprisingly deep, tough roots that are almost woody. I have found that the warmer colored leaved varieties languish and disappear after a couple years.