Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Wild Rose Coral Bells: Rosy Purple Leaves with Charcoal Veins
Save
Wild Rose coral bells has large, rounded leaves in bright rosy purple, with deep charcoal veins radiating from the center that make the color stand out, especially in shade. There is no silver overlay, just clear, saturated rose. In midsummer, dark burgundy stems rise 18 to 22 inches and dark buds open to small rosy pink bells for about five weeks.
It is a vigorous plant that forms a dense, low mound and is easy to spot in any planting.
Wild Rose at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heuchera 'Wild Rose' |
| Foliage | Bright rosy purple with charcoal gray veins |
| Flowers | Rosy pink bells on dark burgundy stems, 18 to 22 inches |
| Size | 8 to 10 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Late June to mid-July, about five weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to full shade; afternoon shade is best |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Where it meets lavender
Coral bells are more flexible about light than hostas, and Wild Rose can grow anywhere from full sun to full shade. In full sun, though, it needs steady moisture or the leaves scorch, and steady moisture is exactly what lavender does not want. The sweet spot is the shadier end of a lavender bed, where a tree or building blocks the afternoon sun and you can water the coral bells a little more without soaking the lavender crowns.
Color is the reason to try it. Rosy purple leaves pick up the purple of lavender flowers and look good months before and after the lavender blooms. The pink flower wands in early summer add a soft, airy layer at the same time lavender is coloring up. Place it with the Companion Plant Planner.
Pairing within the shade
Wild Rose pairs especially well with dark-leaved coral bells; the rose and near-black leaves side by side make both colors richer. Chartreuse coral bells or golden hostas nearby add a bright contrast.
Care notes
- Soil: average to fertile and well drained. Wet, heavy soil invites crown rot, the main risk.
- Water: regularly, in the morning, at the base.
- After bloom: remove spent flower stems at the base.
- Winter: leave foliage on. Freeze-thaw cycles can heave the shallow crowns, so mulch after the ground freezes and press heaved plants back in spring.
- Early spring: trim winter-worn leaves.
Formats offered
Wild Rose is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray and as a deep 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray suits growers and mass plantings; the 20-cell tray offers fewer, larger plugs. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does the leaf color hold all season?
The rosy purple stands out most in shade, where the charcoal veins make it pop.
Can it go right in the lavender bed?
Only at a shadier end where it can get extra water. In full sun beside lavender it would need more water than the lavender can tolerate.
Share how it went in your field