The Shade-Loving Perennial That Can Transform Tricky Bare Spots Under Trees

That tricky ground under trees presents so many challenges. Firstly, there's shade to contend with, all year round if evergreen trees are involved. Then, with all those roots competing for nutrients and water there's little left for anything else. Add to that the fact that a tree's canopy is a very effective umbrella, keeping rainwater from reaching the soil below and you have a rather inhospitable spot for most plants.

Nevertheless, there are options. And one of the best and most interesting planting solutions is heuchera. Also known as coral bells, I love these tough ground cover plants for their year-round foliage, which comes in a rainbow of shades, from deep purple-black to pale apricot, zesty lime green, and claret. An added bonus are the delicate little flower spikes they send up over summer.

While heuchera is without a double one of the best plants for growing under trees, that doesn't mean narrowing down your selection will be easy. If I had to play favorites with heucheras, I might have to opt for 'Dressed Up Bal Gown' from Plant Addicts. With its ruffled, scalloped leaves in chartreuse green, it's far from the retiring plant personalities we usually associate with foliage plants. Preferring a spot in light rather than deep shade, it's one I nestle in at the further reaches of my tree canopies, where it will brighten up the scene. Here I share more of my top heuchera picks, and plenty of practical tips for planting and growing.

How To Plant Heucheras Under Trees

There's no denying it, planting under trees can be a tough job. When you're digging holes for your new heucheras, you need to find the gaps between the roots without causing damage to the tree, which can be tricky and time consuming.

I recommend arming yourself with all the comforts of the gardening world before you begin. Good padding, in the form of this Burgon & Ball kneeler from Lowes is vital, as is a small, sharp tool like the stainless steel transplanter from Burpee.

If you're tackling a large planting project in quite deep shade near to mature trees, in my experience the ground can be dry and hard. In which case, a garden auger drill bit, available at Amazon, could be useful. You can attach it to a cordless drill for some powerful, targeted help with hole-digging (as always, proceed with caution – you still need to find the gaps in the roots rather than drill through them!).

A quick note on tree roots and which will tolerate a degree of disturbance. Every tree is different, so do check before you dig. Acers, for example, tend to resent any kind of root disturbance as they have such an intricate and relatively shallow system. Those with deeper roots tolerate more planting, closer to the tree itself.

At this time of year it's a good idea to soak your planting areas well beforehand. Damp soil is so much easier to dig than rock-hard. Then find your planting spaces and dig out holes a little larger than the heucheras you're going to put in, twice the width and depth ideally. If you do this, you can add plenty of rich organic matter to the planting hole, which will improve conditions for your plants. You could use homemade leaf mould, compost or a bagged product.

Whichever heuchera varieties you choose, make sure you plant them at the same depth as they were at in their nursery pots, with the crown of the plant sitting on the surface. Water in really well and keep a good eye on moisture levels at least during their first year, and over summer.

How To Choose The Best Heucheras For Your Space

Apart from being some of the most colorful ground cover plants money can buy, heucheras are also tough, resilient and low maintenance. The majority are also evergreen, so while the rest of the backyard is tailing off in fall, coral bells really come into their own, brightening everything up brilliantly at ground level.

I like to make use of heucheras at this time of year to pick out more fall colors elsewhere: the rich reds and oranges of sorbus berries (one of the best trees for fall color), firethorn and crab apples, for example. Underplanted with similar toned heucheras, they really shine.

Under the light, deciduous branches of trees like sorbus and crab apples, the majority of heucheras will do just fine. When trees are larger and the shade canopy denser, you'll need to pick your varieties carefully, as not all heucheras do well in deeper shade. As a general rule of thumb, the darker the leaves, the more shade tolerant the heuchera.

Ongoing heuchera care is minimal. When learning how to care for heucheras, an important aspect is mulching annually in spring. Then prune out any old leaves and flower stems as they appear, and every few years divide and replant in early fall to keep them vigorous and healthy.

The Best Heuchera Varieties

'Caramel'
This is one for light shade, perhaps under a deciduous tree with similarly colored fall foliage, like a crab apple, amelanchier or Persion ironwood. The burnished bark of Prunus serrula is a match made in heaven. Also try planting in groups with other coral bells in deep wine and mahogany shades for a rich, harmonious tapestry of color.
USDA Zones 4-9
Buy Heuchera 'caramel' at Plant Addicts

'Plum Pudding'
With silvered plum-purple foliage, this is a dark, shade-tolerant heuchera that will brighten up a gloomy spot under a tree. Use it in groups for impact, paired perhaps with a white periwinkle or astrantia to pick out the silvering on the leaves. The rich pink blossom of a cherry tree in spring is also a lovely combination.
USDA Zones 4-9
Buy Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' at Garden Goods Direct

'Berry Smoothie'
Gorgeous raspberry-colored foliage that deepens to burgundy in fall. Plant it in shade or semi shade, although it'll have more flowers with higher light levels. It has a full, mounded shape and is very easygoing. I particularly love it under pink-berried rowan trees, amelanchier, cherries and North American redbud (Cercis).
USDA Zones 4-9
Shop Heuchera 'Berry Smoothie' at Nature Hills Nursery

'Autumn Bride'
One of the larger varieties, growing to around 3ft (45cm) in height and spread. 'Autumn Bride' is one of the best for dry shade, although do still add some organic matter to help it along when planting. The leaves are less showy than others, but its fresh green is always welcome under trees, where it's evergreen in milder winters.
Buy Heuchera 'Autumn Bridge' at Garden Goods Direct

What to Shop

Whether you're planning a garden for the first time or refreshing the space under some trees, I do recommend you take a look at lovely, low-maintenance coral bells, or heucheras.

They really are some of the most obliging and constantly colorful perennials available. Take your time picking your favorite varieties and you'll be rewarded for years to come.

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