How to Grow Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple'
flowerPalace Purple is a striking coral bells cultivar prized for its deep purple foliage that intensifies in cooler weather, creating dramatic color contrast in shade gardens. It produces delicate pink-red flowers on tall, airy stems in late spring to early summer. This evergreen perennial is valued primarily as a foliage plant and is extremely versatile in garden designs.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best color development in zones 4-8
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Growth Stages
Establishment
2-4 weeksSmall rosette of deeply lobed leaves emerging from transplant, purple coloring visible but still developing
Water regularly to keep soil moist; mulch around (not on) crown; avoid transplant shock by planting in cool weather or providing afternoon shade
Vegetative
2-3 monthsRosette expands with increasingly deep purple leaves; plant develops a dense mound habit with mature foliage color intensifying
Deadhead old flowers to encourage leaf development; maintain consistent moisture; fertilize lightly in spring with balanced fertilizer
Flowering
3-6 weeks, typically late May through JulyDelicate pink-red flowers bloom on slender, upright stems rising above the foliage; flowers are small and abundant on panicles
Leave some flowers for ornamental value or deadhead spent flowers; flowering attracts hummingbirds and pollinators; pinch back stems if desired for bushier form
Seed Development
2-3 weeksFlowers fade; if left unpruned, small seed capsules develop on flower stems; foliage remains the focal point
Deadhead for tidiness and to redirect energy to foliage, or leave seeds for self-seeding; avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues
Dormancy/Winter
November through March depending on zoneFoliage color deepens dramatically in cold weather; plant becomes semi-dormant; evergreen foliage persists through winter in most zones
Provide winter drainage to prevent rot; do not cut back dead foliage until spring; reduce watering in wet climates; cover with loose mulch in zone 3
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove by hand at night; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce parasitic nematodes; ensure excellent drainage
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Remove debris and dense ground cover where they hide; use copper barriers; apply iron phosphate baits; water at soil level only
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or fungicide if severe; thin crowded foliage
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; ensure drainage; apply fungicide if widespread; avoid high humidity
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Improve drainage; never mulch over crown; avoid overhead watering; plant at proper depth; remove affected plants
Uses
Foliage Accent & Color Contrast
OrnamentalPalace Purple provides striking deep purple foliage that intensifies in cold weather, creating dramatic color contrast in shade and woodland gardens. Its mounding habit and persistent evergreen foliage make it ideal for borders, edging, and specimen planting in shaded areas. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe delicate pink-red flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout late spring and summer. Leaving some flowers unharvested provides important nectar sources in shade gardens where flowering plants are limited. [source]
Cut Flower & Floral Arrangement
HouseholdThe airy flower stems are excellent for cutting and adding height and texture to mixed shade garden arrangements. Foliage can also be cut for foliage-focused arrangements in home décor. [source]
Dried Flower Arrangements
CraftFlower stems dry well and retain their airy, delicate structure for use in dried arrangements. The dried flowers add subtle color and movement to craft projects. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalSome Heuchera species have been used in traditional Native American and folk medicine as astringent remedies, though Palace Purple is primarily ornamental. Scientific evidence for medicinal use is limited. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Palace Purple is grown for foliage rather than harvest. Deadhead flowers after blooming for tidiness and to encourage leafy growth. For propagation, divide plants in spring or fall every 3-4 years by separating rosettes; divide when centers become woody or crowded. Collect seeds from self-seeded plants or let flowers remain for natural reseeding.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Palace Purple gets its dramatic color from high anthocyanin content in the leaves—the same pigment that makes blueberries blue. Cold temperatures boost anthocyanin production, causing the purple color to deepen in autumn and winter.
- 🌱 Heuchera is native to North America and was called 'Coral Bells' by early colonists because of the delicate, bell-shaped red and pink flowers. Palace Purple was developed in the 1980s in Europe and has become one of the most popular Heuchera cultivars worldwide.
- 🌱 Palace Purple is one of the few ornamental foliage plants that thrives in dense shade where most colorful plants struggle. It can provide reliable year-round color and visual interest to challenging shaded corners where little else will grow.
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