Heuchera villosa

var. macrorrhiza

‘Autumn Bride’

AUTUMN BRIDE HEUCHERA

Heuchera villosa var. macrorrhiza ‘Autumn Bride’
AUTUMN BRIDE HEUCHERA

Heuchera villosa var. macrorrhiza ‘Autumn Bride’ is a very beautiful addition to any shade garden.  

Bridal white spires of tiny bells

‘Autumn Bride’ is well named.
As it flowers in late summer and in autumn (much later than other Heuchera varieties – so extending the flower season).
And puts up plump, showy, tall spires of pure white tiny bells, opening from cream buds.

Fox’s tails of tiny bells

The tiny bells are fine and dainty, but in profusion, on plump spires (looking like a white fox’s tail).
So it really lights up the shade when it blooms.
With spires soaring to 80cm. approx. above a mound of equally spectacular foliage.

I would grow it for the foliage alone

The limey-green foliage mound is a garden treat all year round, and I would treasure this plant even if it never flowered (but double bonus – it flowers beautifully).
Leaves are like big Maple leaves and very velvety in texture.
Because they are covered in fine silvery hairs like velvet, while rusty leaf and flower stems contrast dramatically.

Stunner for edging a path or garden bed in the shade

There is no more spectacular or reliable choice for edging a path or a garden bed in the shade.

Or mass plant for shade groundcover or feature in a pot

Both flowers and foliage merit featuring.
And it is a hardy, long lived, evergreen perennial that does garden duty for decades as a mass planted groundcover, or in a feature pot. It is plenty handsome enough.

Thrives in shade or part shade under trees & shrubs

‘Autumn Bride’ loves the mulch and leaf litter from the trees.
And grows well in semi-shade, dappled light, or full shade.

Tough beauty

Heuchera villosa var. macrorrhiza ‘Autumn Bride’ is so easy to grow.
It is a tough performer in a wide range of shaded conditions, particularly if the soil is enhanced with mulch or compost.
‘Autumn Bride’ can cope with gravel, rocky or sandy soils, as well as average garden loam.
But they hate waterlogged clay (they rot out).
It does not require rich feeding.

Best Heuchera for humid & hot summers

‘Autumn Bride’ is just about the best Heuchera choice going for gardeners who live in areas with hot and humid summers.
It has enhanced tolerance of heat and humidity compared to other Heuchera varieties.
Fortunately it comes from woodlands in the very humid southern states of USA, so it is naturally adapted to summer heat and humidity. 

Toughly frost hardy too

‘Autumn Bride’ Heuchera can also cope with whatever frost your area can dish out.
Clumps can tolerate temperatures well below -20°C and shrug off snow.
In extremely cold areas the clump may become deciduous over winter, but this is only in the very coldest of areas. They are naturally robust evergreens.

Copes with dry shade once established

Heuchera villosa var. macrorrhiza ‘Autumn Bride’ is also one of the most drought resistant of all the Heuchera family, once it is established in the shade.

Lovely cut flowers

Cut the spires of ‘Autumn Bride’ to fill vases indoors, or use their fine, airy appearance as a great filler between larger vase blooms.
Plants bloom abundantly – so you can cut lots of stems (and cutting either for floristry or deadheading promotes repeats of flowers, and a longer blooming season too).

Handy for florists

The stems are long and bare of leaves, so they are quick to prepare for floral arrangements.

Treat for bees, pollinators & native birds

Our native Honey-Eater birds love nothing better than dangling on the flower stems and sipping from the white bells.
While the bees and other pollinators flock to the nectar rich spires.
The blooms are particularly useful to them in late summer and autumn – when many other flowers have given up in the heat.

Some resistance to deer and rabbits 

While no plant is completely immune to a ravenous marauder – ‘Autumn Bride’ is low on their menu list.

Long lived evergreen perennial

Flower spires 45-60cm. High massed with finest white bells x evergreen luminous foliage mound approx. x 40cm. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & kids

Seeds of Heuchera villosa var. macrorrhiza ‘Autumn Bride’ are very easy and reliable to germinate. 

Sow at any time indoors in punnets, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (20-22°C).
OR
Scatter directly in the garden during spring.

Sowing Tip for very fine seeds: First sieve a handful seed raising mix and fill the seed bag with the fine mix. Shake well, then sow all the contents of the bag. This will spread the fine seed more evenly and make it really easy to sow.

Sow indoors for quicker and maximum germination: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then just lightly pat the seeds to the surface of the mix, but do not bury.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then drain and place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (with good light but no direct sunlight).

Temperatures of 20-22°C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat to maintain suitable warmth.

Continue to keep the punnet consistently moist by regularly misting the punnet from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.

Seeds germinate in approx. 10-20 days.

Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, prick out of the punnet into small pots and grow on until planting out into the garden.

Seed Count: 500 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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