How to Grow Wickwar Flame
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Wickwar Flame
Heuchera 'Wickwar Flame'
flowerWickwar Flame is a stunning coral-red heuchera (alumroot) cultivar prized for its vibrant foliage that intensifies in cooler weather. This compact perennial produces delicate pink flowers on tall stems in late spring to early summer, adding both colorful leaves and airy blooms to the garden. It's an excellent choice for borders, containers, and mixed plantings where year-round color is desired.
When should you plant Wickwar Flame in your zone?
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Example Wickwar Flame timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wickwar Flame
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Wickwar Flame blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wickwar Flame dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; best color in zones 4-8 where cooler temperatures intensify the flame-red foliage
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Get my Wickwar Flame timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-8 weeksSmall rosette of coral-red leaves emerging from root system; compact growth habit visible
Keep soil consistently moist. Apply mulch around (not over) crown. Monitor for transplant shock and protect from strong winds.
Vegetative Growth
Spring through early summerFoliage expands into a dense, mounding rosette with deepening coral-red coloration; leaf texture becomes more pronounced
Maintain moisture during dry spells. Fertilize monthly with balanced, dilute fertilizer. Color intensifies as temperatures cool.
Flowering
Late May through July (4-6 weeks)Delicate, small pink to coral flowers appear on tall, wiry stems rising above the foliage; flowers arranged in airy panicles
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and maintain plant appearance. Support tall flower stems if necessary in windy locations.
Post-Flowering & Summer Color
July through OctoberFlowers fade; foliage becomes the main display; leaf color may deepen further with summer heat, then brighten in fall
Remove dried flower stems. Continue regular watering. In zones 8+, provide afternoon shade to prevent foliage bleaching in intense heat.
Dormancy & Winter Interest
November through MarchFoliage persists, often darkening to rich burgundy or deep red; evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on zone
Reduce watering but do not let soil dry completely. Do not remove old foliage—it provides winter protection and visual interest. Remove debris around crown to prevent rot.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Inspect foliage regularly for notched leaf margins. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap. Diatomaceous earth applied to soil surface can reduce larval populations.
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Remove affected leaves promptly to reduce populations. Maintain plant vigor through proper watering and fertilizing. Spinosad spray if infestations are severe.
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Increase humidity around plants. Spray foliage with water to dislodge mites. Insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations become problematic.
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Ensure excellent drainage and avoid waterlogging. Do not mulch over crown. Remove affected plants and improve soil drainage before replanting.
Uses
Non-edible ornamental
CulinaryWhile not edible, this plant is treasured as a stunning visual accent in perennial gardens and mixed borders, providing year-round color appeal. [source]
Border and container accents
HouseholdWickwar Flame excels in front-of-border positions, rock gardens, containers, and mixed plantings where its vibrant foliage and delicate flowers provide continuous seasonal interest. [source]
Cut foliage and flowers
CraftThe colorful foliage can be harvested for short-term floral arrangements, and the delicate pink flower stems add an airy, elegant touch to mixed bouquets. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifePink flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial pollinators; foliage provides shelter for ground-dwelling insects and small animals. [source]
Heuchera traditional uses
MedicinalNative Heuchera species have a long history of traditional use by Indigenous peoples; though Wickwar Flame is a modern cultivar, it shares botanical heritage with medicinal heuchera plants. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Wickwar Flame is not harvested for food or medicinal uses; it is grown purely as an ornamental. Cut flowers are not typically used in arrangements. Remove spent flower stems as desired for aesthetic purposes.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wickwar Flame's coral-red foliage becomes even more intensely colored when exposed to cooler autumn temperatures, a phenomenon called anthocyanin production that acts as a natural 'sunscreen' in cold weather.
- 🌱 Heuchera 'Wickwar Flame' is a cultivar created through horticultural breeding; it represents decades of selective plant breeding to enhance foliage color and garden performance.
- 🌱 Unlike many shade plants, Wickwar Flame can tolerate considerable sunlight (up to 6 hours daily), and the full color display is actually enhanced by moderate light exposure.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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