Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Palace Purple Coral Bells: The Classic Bronze Leaf for Bed Edges
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Palace Purple coral bells is the purple-leaved Heuchera that started it all, one of the most widely grown coral bells ever and the 1991 Perennial Plant of the Year. Its large, glossy leaves are shaped like maple leaves or stars, ranging from deep olive green to purplish bronze on top with shimmering metallic amethyst undersides.
In early summer, leafy stems about 20 inches tall carry a fine mist of tiny cream flowers over the mound.
Palace Purple at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Palace Purple' |
| Foliage | Olive green to purplish bronze, metallic amethyst undersides |
| Flowers | Tiny cream sprays on stems about 20 inches tall |
| Size | Foliage 8 to 12 inches tall, 12 to 16 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, single flush |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to full shade; best color in part sun |
| Recognition | Perennial Plant of the Year, 1991 |
Where it meets lavender
Palace Purple is a foliage plant first, and its bronze-purple leaves repeat the color of lavender flowers all season, not just in bloom. That makes it a handy transition plant. Use it where a sunny lavender bed runs into the shade of a tree or a building, or along the edge of a bed that gets afternoon shade. The heuchera sits in the cooler, slightly moister strip, and the lavender stays out in the full sun and dry soil it needs.
It is not a plant to mix right among lavender mounds in hot, lean ground; it wants more water than lavender would like. Plan the transition zone in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care through the year
- Light: part sun gives the richest color. In hot, full sun leaves may green up or bleach.
- Water: regularly in dry weather, at the base and not late in the day.
- After bloom: cut the flower stems back.
- Spring: remove tattered old leaves. Divide every few years if the crown gets woody.
- Problems: crown rot in wet, poorly drained soil is the main issue; rust and mildew show up occasionally.
Michigan winters and frost heave
Palace Purple is evergreen to semi-evergreen here, but freeze-thaw cycles can push the crowns up out of heavy soil. Plant the crown at soil level, mulch after the ground freezes and press any heaved plants back down in spring.
A note on the plug tray
Palace Purple is often raised from seed, so leaf color can vary a little from plant to plant, which looks natural in a mass planting. The 72-cell plug tray suits edging, containers and woodland borders. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my leaves turning green?
Too much hot sun can green or bleach the color. A spot with afternoon shade keeps it bronze.
Is it good in containers?
Yes. It is a dependable container plant for part sun.
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