Native Plant
Flowering Time Spring, summer
Fruiting Time
Planting Time Fall
Where to Plant Moist rocky cliffs, banks
Soil and Light Rocky soil, full sun, part shade
Companion Plants Tanoak, Madrone, Douglas Fir, Oak, Bay Laurel, Red Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Manzanita, Ceanothus, Clarkia, Larkspur, Coffeeberry, Coast Silktassel, Oceanspray, Lilium, Lupine, Sticky Monkeyflower, Gooseberry, Snowberry
Wildlife Birds, moths, insects
Coral Bells
Heuchera micrantha
The SLV supports a native Heuchera micrantha that is not extraordinarily flashy; instead, they are charming, understated perennials that provide for native pollinators and contribute to the food web that is the backbone of nature’s ecosystems.
This native produces 2-3′ leafless spikes of small white to pinkish flowers that emerge from February to April. When planted in a group of three or more, the blossoms make a lovely collection that sway gracefully in the breeze. Heuchera micrantha will reseed when happy with its location. Its small flowers make it appear delicate, but it is a surprisingly hardy and drought tolerant plant.
Coral Bells does well in mixed evergreen forests, riparian corridors, and under California Oaks, as the mulch created from dropping leaves does not adversely affect it. It is a good companion plant in hummingbird gardens. It also tends to be deer resistant.
It should be noted that Heuchera, which has been hybridized for color and resistance to native insects chewing its leaves, has little benefit to pollinators.
