Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' – Lustrous Plum-Purple Foliage with Year-Round Evergreen Appeal
Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', commonly known as Coral Bells, is a striking evergreen perennial celebrated for its large, glossy leaves in a rich, deep plum-purple with a distinctive silvery metallic sheen. Forming a neat, low-growing mound, it delivers bold, dependable colour throughout every season, making it an outstanding choice for borders, containers, and shaded garden spaces. From late spring into early summer, slender wands of delicate pinkish-white flowers rise gracefully above the foliage, adding an airy, romantic quality and attracting beneficial pollinators. Hardy, versatile, and effortlessly low-maintenance, 'Plum Pudding' is a plant that earns its place in the garden all year round.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring to Summer:
As temperatures rise in spring, Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' produces a fresh flush of large, rounded leaves in a sumptuous deep plum-purple, each with a lustrous silver overlay that catches the light beautifully. From late spring into early summer, slender stems emerge above the foliage carrying clouds of tiny pinkish-white flowers, attracting bees and other pollinators and adding delicate vertical interest to the planting.
Autumn:
As temperatures cool, the foliage of 'Plum Pudding' deepens further in tone, the plum and burgundy hues becoming ever more intense and dramatic. The plant holds its structure and colour well into late autumn, continuing to provide strong contrast and textural interest in the garden.
Winter:
'Plum Pudding' remains evergreen through mild UK winters, retaining its rich, colourful foliage when much of the garden lies bare. In colder spells, a light mulch around the crown will help protect the roots and ensure the plant returns vigorously in spring.
Structure & Form
Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' forms a low, clump-forming mound of handsome, lobed foliage. The leaves are notably large and glossy, displaying a captivating blend of deep plum-purple and iridescent silver that shifts subtly with changing light throughout the day. Flower stems rise gracefully above the mound, adding height without crowding neighbouring plants. This refined yet robust habit makes it equally at home at the front of a border, in a pot, or as part of a layered shade planting.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
🌿 Borders and Beds:
An excellent choice for edging shaded or semi-shaded borders, where its deep, jewel-toned foliage creates a dramatic contrast against greens, silvers, and chartreuse-leaved companions. Plant in groups for a rich, tapestry-like effect.
🌿 Containers and Pots:
The compact, mounding habit of 'Plum Pudding' suits container planting perfectly. Use it as a centrepiece in a mixed pot or pair it with trailing plants and grasses for a sophisticated, year-round display on a patio or balcony.
🌿 Underplanting and Ground Cover:
Ideal for underplanting beneath deciduous shrubs or trees, where its shade tolerance and evergreen nature ensure continuous colour and coverage even in difficult, low-light spots.
🌿 Wildlife Gardens:
The nectar-rich flowers are a welcome early-summer resource for bees and hoverflies, supporting garden biodiversity without any extra effort.
Growing Conditions & Care
Position:
Thrives in partial shade to full sun. The best foliage colour and metallic sheen develop in dappled or partial shade, though 'Plum Pudding' is one of the more sun-tolerant Heucheras, coping well in a sunny spot provided the soil does not dry out excessively. Avoid deep, dense shade where flowering will be reduced.
Soil:
Prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid heavy, waterlogged ground; improve drainage by incorporating compost or horticultural grit at planting time. In containers, use a good-quality, free-draining compost.
Watering:
Water regularly during the establishment period and during prolonged dry spells, particularly for plants grown in pots. Once established in the ground, 'Plum Pudding' is moderately drought-tolerant, though it will perform best with consistent moisture through summer.
Maintenance:
Low maintenance overall: remove spent flower stems as they fade and tidy away any old or tatty leaves in early spring to encourage fresh new growth.
Every 3–4 years, lift and divide congested clumps in spring or early autumn to reinvigorate the plant and maintain its vigour.
Apply a light mulch of compost in spring to retain soil moisture,
