Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Pink Panther Coral Bells: Berry-Pink Leaves for a Shady Bed
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Pink Panther coral bells is all about the leaves. They open a shimmering metallic pink in spring, then slowly deepen to a dark berry pink with darker veins as summer goes on. In midsummer, dark stems shoot up well above the mound carrying slender wands of light pink bells in dark rose cups.
Pink foliage is rare, and it is at its best out of the hot sun. That means Pink Panther is a companion for the shady side of your lavender garden plan rather than a bedmate for the lavender itself.
Pink Panther at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Pink Panther' |
| Foliage | Rounded, semi-glossy leaves, metallic pink maturing to dark berry pink |
| Flowers | Light pink bells in dark rose calyces on stems about 28 to 30 inches tall |
| Mound size | 10 to 12 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to full shade; best color in filtered light or shade |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Why it lives across the path from lavender
Coral bells like steady moisture and fertile soil, and Pink Panther's color fades and scorches in hot afternoon sun. Lavender wants the opposite. The happy compromise is a garden with two moods: a bright, dry lavender bed in full sun, and a cool shade bed nearby where Pink Panther lights up ferns, hostas and green groundcovers.
The color link still works across that distance. Berry-pink leaves pick up the pink and purple tones in lavender blooms, and the light pink flower wands arrive in midsummer, right around lavender's peak. Sort out which corners of your yard are sunny and which are shady in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care notes
- Plant high: set the crown right at soil level. Buried crowns in wet soil are the most common cause of loss.
- Water wisely: keep the soil steadily moist but never soggy, and avoid overhead watering late in the day.
- Afternoon shade: heat tolerance is average, so shade from the hottest sun keeps the leaves looking rich.
- Winter: the leaves stay evergreen to semi-evergreen in Michigan. Frost heaving is common in heavy soil, so mulch after the ground freezes and push heaved plants back down in spring.
- Spring cleanup: remove old leaves and spent flower stems in early spring.
Pots and posies
Pink Panther is a strong accent in shady container combinations, where its color holds all season. The tall, stiff flower stems also cut well for small arrangements.
Tray options
It is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and as a 20-cell plug tray with larger cells. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my Pink Panther leaves turning darker?
That is normal. New leaves start metallic pink and mature to a deeper berry pink as the season goes on.
My coral bells popped out of the ground. What happened?
That is frost heaving from freeze-thaw cycles. Press the crown back into the soil in spring and mulch after the ground freezes next fall.
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