Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Ball Gown Coral Bells: Ruffled Chartreuse to Brighten Shade
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Ball Gown coral bells is dressed for the occasion. Its large, rounded leaves, 5 to 6 inches across, are heavily ruffled with scalloped edges in bright chartreuse to yellow-green, lighter in spring and deeper in summer. They overlap into a low, broad mound 10 to 12 inches tall and more than 2 feet wide. From early summer into fall, slender stems 26 to 30 inches tall carry airy sprays of tiny creamy white bells.
Ball Gown at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Ball Gown' |
| Foliage | Chartreuse to yellow-green, heavily ruffled, 5 to 6 inches across |
| Flowers | Creamy white sprays on stems 26 to 30 inches tall |
| Size | 10 to 12 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early summer, repeating into fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade, full shade |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Bright light for the shady side
Ball Gown wants shade and steady moisture, so it will not share lavender's sunny, lean bed. Where it shines is the shady part of the same property, where chartreuse leaves read almost like a spotlight. Put it at the front of a woodland bed, along a shaded walk or in a container by a north-facing door, and the dim corner suddenly looks intentional.
It was made to pair with darker ruffled coral bells, and the light-and-dark contrast is striking. It also looks good with blue hostas and ferns. Plan the shade beds next to your sunny ones in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: morning sun and afternoon shade, or bright shade. Hot afternoon sun can scorch the chartreuse leaves.
- Soil: rich and well drained, with regular moisture. Wet, poorly drained soil causes crown rot.
- Watering: water in the morning, at the base, to limit leaf diseases.
- Flowers: cut spent stems to the base to tidy the mound and encourage more.
- Spring: remove worn leaves as new growth starts.
Winter heaving
Coral bells are evergreen to semi-evergreen in Michigan, but they tend to heave out of heavy or wet soil in freeze-thaw cycles. Plant crowns at soil level, mulch after the ground freezes and check in spring, pressing any lifted plants back into place.
In containers
Ball Gown performs well in mixed or single-variety containers as long as the drainage is good. One plant fills a medium pot with ruffles, and the cream flower wands add height without crowding the planting.
Choosing a tray
It is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray suits container growers and long shady edges; the 20-cell tray fits a single shade bed. See the product pages for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does it bloom more than once?
Its creamy flowers start in early summer and repeat into fall, especially if you cut spent stems.
Can it go in full sun?
Not in hot afternoon sun, which scorches the light leaves. Morning sun is fine.
What should I plant with it?
Dark-leaved coral bells, blue hostas and ferns all contrast well with its chartreuse ruffles.
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