How to plant heucheras

Heucheras Palace Purple produce beautiful dark mahogany leaves and sprays of small creamy white to pinkish flowers on wiry stems. Perfect for the front or middle of the border, these striking semi-evergreen hardy perennials can be used to create a dramatic statement in the garden. For added interest, try mixing them with low-growing silver/lime green foliage plants or use as a backdrop to blue, white and lime green plants such as agapanthuses, euphorbias, irises sibirica and leucanthemums. Heucheras palace purple also look wonderful combined with contrasting tulips like Princess Irene, Orange Princess or Couleur Cardinal. Alternatively, plant in silver-grey containers where their lush foliage will truly stand out.

Plant in moist, fertile, well-drained neutral soil in sun or partial shade. Provide a winter mulch up to the crown and lift and divide the clumps every few years.

Heucheras are supplied in 9 cm pots. Always unpack on arrival and store in a cool place until ready to plant.

Potential problems, pests and diseases:

• Eelworms: these microscopic pests navigate through plant tissues and feed on cells. Leaves turn yellow, distort and die back prematurely whilst growth may be stunted. Watch out for any signs of infestation and destroy any affected plant at first sight before disinfecting your tools. Dispose of any deceased plant material and debris ahead of the growing season to prevent any risks of infestation.
  
  
• Vine weevils: these black/grey beetles like to feed on ornamental foliage in spring and summer whilst larvae wreak havoc in autumn and winter by devouring plant roots. Host may wilt and potentially die. To prevent infestations, maintain good garden hygiene by disposing of any deceased plant material and debris. Additionally, take a moment to regularly inspect susceptible ornamental plants in spring and summer evenings — vine weevils come out at night — and pick off any visible pests using gloves.
  
  
• Rust: this fungal disease can dramatically impact the appearance and strength of heucheras; leaves may become mottled and display sunken/raised bumps. Since humidity promotes infection, avoid planting heucheras in areas with poor air circulation and make sure to water them in the morning so that their leaves are able to dry out quickly. Destroy any affected foliage.