Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Eye Spy Foamy Bells: Amber Leaves and Long Pink Froth for Shade
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Eye Spy foamy bells is grown for its flowers as much as its leaves, which is unusual for the group. Frothy spikes of small, bubblegum pink star-shaped flowers rise about 16 inches in spring and keep going for many weeks. Below them, large, deeply cut leaves open amber yellow with deep rose centers that vein outward, then mellow to bright chartreuse with a silvery wash as summer warms up.
It is a shade plant, so it will not join your lavender in a sunny bed. Plant it on the shady side of the property, where its gold-and-rose leaves brighten ferns and hostas.
Eye Spy at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | × Heucherella 'Eye Spy' |
| Foliage | Amber yellow with rose centers in spring, chartreuse with silver in summer |
| Flowers | Bubblegum pink spikes on stems about 16 inches tall |
| Bloom | Starts mid-May, peaks late May, continues for many weeks |
| Size | 8 to 10 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Part shade to full shade |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
A shade companion in a lavender garden
Lavender owns the sunny, dry ground. Eye Spy is for the opposite corner: under trees, along a north wall or in a shaded bed by the back door. In those spots its changing leaf color does the work that flowers do in a sunny bed, and its long run of pink froth adds a soft, airy layer above.
Pair it with ferns, blue or green hostas and dark-leaved coral bells for a full shade planting. Its pink flowers also make a gentle visual echo of the pink lavenders some gardeners grow out in the sun. Keep the two zones straight in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: part to full shade. It handles more heat and sun than typical foamy bells, but leaf color is best with filtered sun or afternoon shade.
- Soil: average to fertile, evenly moist and well-drained. Soggy soil can rot the crown.
- Deadheading: cut spent flower stems at the base to encourage more.
- Winter: semi-evergreen. Mulch lightly after the ground freezes to prevent heaving, and trim winter-damaged leaves in spring.
- Air flow: leave space between plants so the leaves dry quickly after rain.
Cutting and containers
Eye Spy's flower spikes are good for cutting and add a light, frothy touch to small arrangements. The plant also works well in shaded containers, either alone or as the colorful edge of a mixed pot. Its compact size makes it easy to tuck along the front of a shade border too.
About the plug tray
Eye Spy is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, ideal for growers and for edging a long shade bed. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
What is a foamy bells?
Foamy bells is a hybrid between coral bells and foamflower. It combines colorful leaves with frothy, foamflower-style blooms.
Why did my leaves turn green in summer?
That is normal for Eye Spy. The amber-and-rose spring color mellows to chartreuse with a silver wash as temperatures rise.
Can it grow with my lavender?
Not in the same bed. It needs shade and steady moisture, while lavender needs full sun and dry, lean soil.
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