Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Black Pearl Coral Bells: Near-Black Ruffles in Front of Lavender
Save
Black Pearl coral bells brings true dark color to the garden. Its glossy, rounded leaves are so deep a mahogany-purple that they read as black from a few steps away, and their tightly ruffled edges flip up to show rosy purple undersides. In midsummer, thin dark stems carry airy sprays of white flowers set in pink cups.
Against lavender's silver foliage, it is about as strong a contrast as you can plant.
Black Pearl at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Black Pearl' |
| Foliage | Glossy near-black, ruffled, rosy purple undersides |
| Flowers | White with pink calyces on 18 to 20 inch stems |
| Size | Mound 8 to 10 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to full shade; afternoon shade helps in hot spots |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Making it work beside lavender
Black Pearl holds its dark color even in sun and handles heat and humidity better than many dark-leaved coral bells. That makes it one of the few heucheras that can sit near lavender. The trick is the right bed: one where the lavender still gets its six to eight hours of sun, but the front edge picks up some afternoon shade from a fence, house or tree.
Plant Black Pearl along that front edge, a foot or so in front of the lavender. It wants slightly more summer water, so water the edging plants without soaking the lavender behind them. The result is a black ribbon of ruffled leaves under silver mounds and purple spikes.
Care through the year
- Soil: average to fertile and well drained. Soggy winter sites cause crown rot.
- Water: regular moisture, especially through summer heat.
- After bloom: cut flower stems back.
- Spring: trim any winter-worn leaves as new growth emerges.
- Winter: evergreen to semi-evergreen in Michigan. Plant crowns at soil level, mulch after the ground freezes and press heaved plants back in spring.
Two tray sizes
Black Pearl is offered as a 72-cell plug tray for large edging projects, mass plantings and growers, and as a 20-cell plug tray with fewer, larger plugs for smaller jobs. See each product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Beyond the lavender bed
It also shines in containers, shade gardens and woodland edges, especially beside chartreuse or silver foliage where the dark leaves really pop.
Frequently asked questions
Does Black Pearl have silver markings?
No. Its leaves are solid glossy near-black with no silver marbling, though older leaves may show a faint sheen.
Can it take full sun?
It holds its color in sun, but afternoon shade helps in hot spots and keeps the leaves looking their best.
Why are my plants lifting out of the ground?
Frost heaving is common in heavy or wet soil. Press them back in spring and mulch after the ground freezes.
Share how it went in your field