Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Cherry Truffles Coral Bells: A Ruffled Red Carpet for Bed Edges
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Cherry Truffles coral bells is all ruffles and red. New leaves come in bright cherry red and so heavily frilled that the mound looks crinkled, then settle into a glossy mahogany red as summer goes on. It stays low, 8 to 10 inches tall, but spreads up to 30 inches across, like a rumpled red rug someone forgot to straighten.
Its red tones echo the purples of lavender nicely, and it can join a lavender planting at the lightly shaded end, as long as it gets a bit more water than its neighbors.
Cherry Truffles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Cherry Truffles' |
| Foliage | Ruffled, bright cherry red maturing to mahogany red |
| Flowers | Light pink bells in dark rose cups on burgundy stems 18 to 22 inches tall |
| Size | 8 to 10 inches tall, 26 to 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-June, peaks early July, about five weeks with summer repeats |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to full shade; best color in part sun |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Red and purple at the shady end
Many lavender beds run into shade at one end, under a tree or beside a building. That transition is where Cherry Truffles fits. The last lavenders stay in full sun, and the coral bells pick up where the light starts to soften. Mahogany red and lavender purple are close relatives in color, so the planting reads as one warm, rich sweep.
Keep its watering separate. Coral bells want more regular moisture than lavender, so set them a few feet past the last lavender plant rather than right among the crowns. Work out the transition in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Planting depth: crown at soil level. Buried crowns rot, and raised ones heave.
- Soil: average to fertile and well-drained. Wet, poorly drained soil causes crown rot.
- Water: regularly during dry spells, at the base of the plant, and not late in the day.
- Light: it is documented as tolerant of high heat, but some afternoon shade helps hold the red.
- Flowers: clip spent stems to keep the mound tidy and encourage repeat stems.
- Winter: evergreen to semi-evergreen here. Mulch after the ground freezes, press heaved crowns back in spring and trim tattered leaves.
Groundcover, edging and big pots
Its wide, low spread makes Cherry Truffles a strong groundcover-style edging plant along a partly shaded path. In a large container it spills over the rim and pairs well with silver and chartreuse foliage. The airy pink flowers are a bonus for bees and hold up fairly well in small bouquets.
About the plug tray
Cherry Truffles is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, a good fit for edging long beds or filling containers. See the product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Does the color fade in summer?
It shifts rather than fades, from bright cherry to deep mahogany red, and holds strong color from spring through fall.
How far apart should I plant it?
Allow for its 26- to 30-inch spread. It is vigorous and fills a large clump quickly.
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