Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Mahogany Monster Coral Bells: Big Glossy Leaves for Shade
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Mahogany Monster coral bells lives up to its name. Its glossy, rounded leaves can reach 6 inches across, emerge glowing red and mature to a deep mahogany, with older leaves taking on a coppery cast. The clump fills out quickly into a broad mound 12 to 16 inches tall and more than two feet wide. In early summer, thick burgundy stems rise up to about three feet, carrying masses of light pink buds that open to tiny cream bells.
Mahogany Monster at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Mahogany Monster' |
| Foliage | Glossy mahogany red, up to 6 inches across, aging coppery |
| Flowers | Cream bells from light pink buds on burgundy stems |
| Size | Foliage 12 to 16 inches tall, 22 to 28 inches wide; stems 32 to 38 inches |
| Bloom | Late June, peaks mid-July, with summer repeats |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to full shade; afternoon shade preferred |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Where it fits near lavender
Coral bells and lavender can live in the same garden, but not in the same soil. Lavender wants hot sun and dry, lean ground. Mahogany Monster wants regular watering and does best with some afternoon shade. So place it where your sunny lavender bed meets a shadier area, such as the end of the bed shaded by a fence, house or tree, and give it a little extra water there. Its big, dark leaves give visual weight to that end of the planting, and the deep red makes a rich backdrop for silver lavender foliage nearby.
In full shade it pairs nicely with chartreuse coral bells, ferns and hostas. Use the Companion Plant Planner to map the sun-to-shade transition.
Planting and care
- Light: afternoon shade keeps the leaves glossy in hot sites; it has average heat tolerance.
- Soil: average to fertile and well drained. Crown rot in wet, poorly drained soil is the main problem.
- Water: regularly, at the base. Avoid overhead watering late in the day to limit leaf diseases.
- Flowers: cut spent stems back after bloom to encourage summer repeats.
- Spring: tidy tattered old foliage before new leaves unfurl.
Winter and frost heaving
Mahogany Monster is evergreen to semi-evergreen in Michigan. The bigger winter risk is frost heaving in heavy or wet soil, which pushes the crown up out of the ground. Plant the crown at soil level, mulch after the ground freezes and press any heaved plants back in spring.
Containers
Its size and bold color make it an excellent anchor in a large container on a shaded patio. Use a quality potting mix and water more often than you would in the ground.
Frequently asked questions
Does the color fade in summer?
The color stays steady through the season, with older leaves taking on a coppery tone.
Do pollinators visit the flowers?
Yes. Bees visit the tall sprays, and the flowers are in scale with the big leaves, so the plant looks balanced in bloom.
How is it sold?
As a full 72-cell plug tray, ideal for growers, landscapers and large plantings. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for other trays.
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