Palace Purple Coral Bells or Heuchera Plant

Palace Purple Coral Bells (Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’) is a beloved perennial prized for its dramatic deep purple foliage and delicate cream-colored flowers. This low-maintenance shade garden staple provides year-round color, attracts pollinators, and thrives in zones 4-9 with proper care.

If you have ever wandered through a shade garden in late spring and spotted a mound of ruffled, deep purple leaves topped with airy wands of tiny cream flowers, chances are you were looking at Palace Purple Coral Bells. This classic Heuchera cultivar has been a garden favorite for decades, and for good reason. It brings rich, dramatic color to the shady spots where many flowering plants struggle, and it asks for very little in return.

In this guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about growing Palace Purple Coral Bells. We will cover its history, ideal growing conditions, design ideas, maintenance routines, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Whether you are a seasoned gardener looking to refresh a woodland border or a beginner hoping to add reliable color to a north-facing foundation bed, this plant deserves a spot on your list.

Key Takeaways

• Striking Foliage: Deep purple-bronze leaves provide dramatic color from spring through fall, often persisting into winter in milder climates.
• Shade Tolerant: Thrives in partial to full shade, making it perfect for woodland gardens, north-facing beds, and understory plantings.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Palace Purple requires minimal care beyond occasional watering and division every few years.
• Pollinator Friendly: Delicate cream flowers on tall wiry stems attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies in late spring to early summer.
• Versatile Design Element: Works beautifully in borders, containers, rock gardens, and as ground cover when mass planted.
• Deer Resistant: The fuzzy foliage texture and taste deter deer and rabbits, making it reliable in wildlife-prone areas.
• Easy Propagation: Divide clumps in spring or fall to create new plants and rejuvenate older specimens.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

What is the botanical name for Palace Purple Coral Bells?

The botanical name is Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’.

How much sun does Palace Purple need?

It prefers partial to full shade, ideally morning sun with afternoon shade. In cool climates it can tolerate more sun with consistent moisture.

When is the best time to divide Palace Purple?

Early spring as new growth emerges or early fall (September/October) are the best times for division.

Is Palace Purple deer resistant?

Yes, the fuzzy foliage and astringent taste make it highly resistant to deer and rabbit browsing.

Why are the leaves on my Palace Purple turning green?

Leaves may green up due to too much shade, high nitrogen fertilizer, or summer heat. Morning sun is essential for the deepest purple color.

What Are Palace Purple Coral Bells

Palace Purple Coral Bells, botanically known as Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’, is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Saxifragaceae family. It is a selection of the species Heuchera micrantha, which is native to western North America. The cultivar was discovered in the 1980s at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in England, specifically at the Palace House gardens, hence the regal name.

Distinctive Features

The star of the show is undoubtedly the foliage. The leaves are large, maple-shaped, and deeply lobed with a ruffled texture. They emerge in spring with a bright, glossy purple-bronze hue that deepens to a rich, dark chocolate-purple as the season progresses. The undersides of the leaves are often a striking metallic amethyst or deep red, adding a flash of color when the breeze moves through the plant.

In late spring to early summer, slender, wiry stems rise 18 to 24 inches above the foliage mound. These stems carry loose panicles of tiny, bell-shaped flowers. The blooms are a creamy white to pale pink. While the flowers are lovely and excellent for cutting, most gardeners grow this plant primarily for its spectacular leaves.

Growth Habit and Size

Palace Purple forms a neat, mounding clump. A mature plant typically reaches 12 to 18 inches in height and spreads 18 to 24 inches wide. It is evergreen in warmer zones (7-9) and semi-evergreen in colder zones (4-6), where the foliage may look a bit tattered by late winter but bounces back quickly with fresh growth in spring.

History and Origins

The story of Palace Purple is a charming slice of horticultural history. The species Heuchera micrantha is native to rocky cliffs and woodland slopes from California up to Alaska. For a long time, it was grown mostly by rock garden enthusiasts and native plant collectors.

The Kew Gardens Discovery

In the early 1980s, Brian Halliwell, a curator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, noticed a particularly striking seedling growing near the Palace House at Kew. It had exceptionally dark, glossy purple foliage that held its color far better than the typical green or bronzy forms of the species. He propagated it, named it ‘Palace Purple’, and introduced it to the nursery trade.

Perennial Plant of the Year

The plant quickly gained popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1991, the Perennial Plant Association named Palace Purple Coral Bells the Perennial Plant of the Year. This award cemented its status as a garden staple. It was one of the first Heucheras to be widely marketed for its foliage rather than its flowers, paving the way for the explosion of colorful coral bells cultivars we see today.

Ideal Growing Conditions

One of the reasons Palace Purple remains so popular is its adaptability. However, giving it its preferred conditions will reward you with the most vibrant foliage color and vigorous growth.

Light Requirements

This is a shade-loving plant at heart. It performs best in partial shade to full shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. In cooler northern climates (zones 4-5), it can tolerate more sun, even full sun, provided the soil stays consistently moist. In hot southern climates (zones 8-9), full shade is essential to prevent leaf scorch and color fading. Too much intense sun will bleach the gorgeous purple leaves to a washed-out greenish-bronze.

Soil Preferences

Palace Purple prefers rich, humusy, well-draining soil. It likes a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). Heavy clay soil is a common killer because it holds too much water in winter, leading to crown rot. If you have clay, amend it generously with compost, leaf mold, or finely shredded bark before planting. Raised beds or berms are also excellent solutions for improving drainage.

Water Needs

Consistent moisture is key, especially during the first growing season while the plant establishes its root system. Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells rather than frequent shallow sprinkling. Once established, Palace Purple has moderate drought tolerance, but prolonged dryness will cause the leaf edges to crisp and brown. A two-inch layer of organic mulch (shredded leaves, pine straw, or bark) helps retain soil moisture and keeps the roots cool.

Temperature and Hardiness

This plant is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9. In zone 4, provide a winter mulch of straw or evergreen boughs after the ground freezes to prevent heaving. In zones 8 and 9, the main challenge is summer heat and humidity. Ensure good air circulation and avoid planting in low spots where hot, humid air settles.

Fertilizing

Palace Purple is not a heavy feeder. A single application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) in early spring as new growth emerges is usually sufficient. Alternatively, top-dress with an inch of compost or well-rotted manure in spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote lush green growth at the expense of the purple pigmentation.

Planting Palace Purple Coral Bells

Proper planting sets the stage for years of healthy growth. The best times to plant are spring and early fall. Summer planting is possible but requires diligent watering.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

1. Choose the site: Select a spot with the appropriate light conditions (morning sun/afternoon shade is gold standard) and good drainage.
2. Prepare the hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
3. Amend the soil: Mix the excavated soil with compost at a 50/50 ratio. If your soil is heavy clay, add some coarse sand or fine gravel to the mix as well.
4. Remove the plant: Gently slide the plant from its pot. If the roots are circling the bottom (root-bound), tease them apart with your fingers or make a few vertical slices with a knife.
5. Position correctly: Place the plant in the hole so the crown (where stems meet roots) sits slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep is the number one cause of crown rot.
6. Backfill: Fill the hole with your amended soil, firming gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
7. Water thoroughly: Give it a deep soak to settle the soil.
8. Mulch: Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch, keeping it pulled back an inch from the crown.

Spacing

Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart (center to center). If you are creating a mass planting or ground cover effect, you can space them slightly closer, around 15 inches, but be prepared to divide them sooner.

Container Planting

Palace Purple makes a stunning container specimen. Choose a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep with drainage holes. Use a high-quality potting mix blended with perlite or coarse sand for extra drainage. Container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizing (a diluted liquid feed monthly during the growing season) than in-ground plants. In zones 6 and colder, move pots to a protected spot (unheated garage, against a house wall) for winter, or sink the pot into the ground.

Seasonal Care and Maintenance

The beauty of Palace Purple is that it looks great for most of the year with very little fuss. Here is a seasonal rundown.

Spring

As soon as you see new growth emerging, remove any winter-damaged or tattered leaves from the previous year. Cut them off at the base with clean scissors. This is also the time to apply your slow-release fertilizer or compost top-dressing. Check for heaving; if the crown has been pushed up by freeze-thaw cycles, gently press it back down and add a little soil around the base.

Summer

Deadhead spent flower stems by cutting them back to the base of the foliage mound. This keeps the plant looking tidy and may encourage a light rebloom. Monitor watering during hot, dry spells. If you see leaf scorch (brown, crispy edges), the plant may be getting too much afternoon sun or not enough water.

Fall

Fall is an excellent time to plant or divide Palace Purple. The soil is warm, encouraging root growth, but the air is cool, reducing stress. Do not cut back the foliage for winter; the leaves protect the crown. You can apply a fresh layer of mulch after the ground freezes in cold zones.

Winter

In zones 7-9, the foliage often stays attractive all winter. In zones 4-6, the leaves will flatten and look rough after hard freezes. Leave them be. They act as a natural mulch. Clean up in early spring.

Design Ideas and Companion Plants

The deep purple foliage of Palace Purple is a designer’s dream. It acts as a dark anchor that makes neighboring colors pop.

Color Combinations

• Chartreuse and Gold: Pair with Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese Forest Grass), Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’, or Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’. The contrast is electric.
• Silver and Blue: Combine with Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’, Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted Fern), or Hosta ‘Halcyon’. The cool tones highlight the purple’s richness.
• Pink and White: Underplant with white-flowering bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’), pink astilbe, or white foamflower (Tiarella). The flowers echo the cream bells of the Heuchera.
• Deep Reds and Oranges: For a moody, sophisticated palette, pair with Heuchera ‘Obsidian’, Japanese maple ‘Bloodgood’, or dark-leaved Ligularia.

Garden Styles

Woodland Garden: This is its native habitat style. Plant in drifts under deciduous trees alongside ferns, hostas, trilliums, and native wildflowers.

Shade Border: Use as a front-of-border edging plant. Its tidy mound defines the edge beautifully.

Rock Garden: The species H. micrantha is native to rocky slopes. Palace Purple works well tucked into crevices or alongside rocks where drainage is sharp.

Container Combinations: Use as the “filler” in a shade container. Pair with a tall “thriller” like a fern or carex, and a trailing “spiller” like creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) or ivy.

Propagation

Palace Purple is easy to propagate, which is great because mature clumps benefit from division every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigor.

Division (Best Method)

When: Early spring (just as new growth starts) or early fall (September/October).

How:

1. Dig up the entire clump with a garden fork, lifting gently to keep roots intact.
2. Shake or wash off excess soil to see the crown structure.
3. The plant grows as a woody crown with multiple rosettes. Use a sharp knife or spade to cut the crown into sections. Each division needs at least 2-3 healthy rosettes and a good root system.
4. Discard the woody, dead center of old clumps.
5. Replant divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing. Water well and mulch.

Seed

Palace Purple can be grown from seed, but seedlings will not come true to type. They will be variable, often reverting to greener foliage. If you want the exact deep purple clone, you must divide or buy tissue-cultured plants. However, growing from seed is fun for experimenting. Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed-starting mix (they need light to germinate) at 65-70°F. Germination takes 2-4 weeks.

Leaf Cuttings

Some advanced gardeners propagate Heuchera from leaf cuttings with a small piece of stem tissue attached, rooted in perlite under high humidity. This is less reliable than division for beginners.

Common Problems and Solutions

Palace Purple is generally trouble-free, but a few issues can arise.

Crown Rot

Symptoms: The center of the plant turns mushy and black, leaves yellow and collapse. Often fatal.

Cause: Poor drainage, planting too deep, heavy clay soil, overwatering, or mulch piled against the crown.

Fix: Prevention is best. Ensure excellent drainage. Plant high. Keep mulch away from the crown. If caught very early, you can dig the plant, cut away all rotted tissue, dust with fungicide, and replant in a better spot, but success is low.

Heuchera Rust

Symptoms: Small, raised, orange-brown pustules on the undersides of leaves. Upper leaf surfaces show yellow spots.

Cause: Fungal pathogen Puccinia heucherae. Favored by high humidity and wet foliage.

Fix: Remove and destroy affected leaves immediately (do not compost). Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Water at the base, not overhead. Fungicides containing copper or chlorothalonil can help protect new growth.

Sun Scorch / Leaf Bleaching

Symptoms: Leaves turn pale, whitish, or develop brown crispy patches, especially on the side facing the sun.

Cause: Too much direct afternoon sun, especially combined with dry soil.

Fix: Transplant to a shadier location in fall or spring. Increase watering if moving is not possible immediately.

Frost Heaving

Symptoms: The plant crown is pushed up out of the ground, exposing roots.

Cause: Repeated freeze-thaw cycles in winter.

Fix: In late fall, after the ground freezes, apply a 3-4 inch layer of straw, pine needles, or evergreen boughs. In spring, gently press the plant back down and cover exposed roots with soil.

Pests: Vine Weevils and Foliar Nematodes

Vine Weevils: Adults notch leaf edges at night; larvae (white grubs) eat roots, causing sudden wilting. Control with beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) applied to soil in late summer/early fall.

Foliar Nematodes: Microscopic worms cause angular brown patches between leaf veins. Very difficult to control. Remove and destroy infected plants. Avoid overhead watering.

Deer and Rabbits

Good news: Palace Purple is highly deer and rabbit resistant. The leaves have a fuzzy texture and astringent taste that critters dislike. In extreme hunger, they may take a nibble, but it is rarely a preferred food source.

Palace Purple vs. Modern Heuchera Hybrids

Since Palace Purple’s heyday in the 90s, plant breeders have introduced hundreds of new Heuchera hybrids (often called “villosa” hybrids or “American” hybrids). How does the classic compare?

Advantages of Palace Purple

• Proven reliability: Decades of performance data across diverse climates.
• Seed availability: Often available as seed, making it economical for mass planting.
• Classic look: The maple-leaf shape and ruffled texture are distinct from the rounder, more ruffled modern hybrids.
• Cold hardiness: Very tough in zone 4.

Advantages of Modern Hybrids (e.g., ‘Obsidian’, ‘Palace Purple’ selections, ‘Forever Purple’)

• Better heat/humidity tolerance: Many new hybrids have H. villosa genetics, making them far superior in the Deep South.
• Color holding: Newer cultivars like ‘Forever Purple’ or ‘Black Pearl’ hold their intense color all season without fading to bronze-green in summer heat.
• Larger flowers: Some are bred for showier bloom spikes.
• Clump density: Many form tighter, more uniform mounds.

If you garden in zones 7b-9, you may find modern villosa hybrids perform better long-term. In zones 4-7, Palace Purple remains an excellent, cost-effective choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Palace Purple turning green?

This is usually caused by too much shade (paradoxically, deep shade reduces the anthocyanin pigments that create purple color) or high nitrogen fertilizer. It also naturally greens up a bit in the heat of summer. Morning sun is crucial for the deepest color.

Can Palace Purple grow in full sun?

Only in cool climates (zones 4-5) with constant moisture. In most regions, afternoon sun will scorch the leaves. Aim for morning sun only.

When should I cut back the flowers?

Cut the flower stems down to the basal foliage once the blooms fade in early summer. This redirects energy to the leaves and keeps the plant tidy.

Is Palace Purple evergreen?

In zones 7-9, yes, it is essentially evergreen. In zones 4-6, it is semi-evergreen; the old leaves persist but look rough by late winter. Do not cut them off until spring.

How long does Palace Purple live?

Individual crowns can live 5-10 years or more, but the clump center becomes woody and dies out after 3-4 years. Regular division rejuvenates the planting indefinitely.

Can I grow Palace Purple indoors?

It is not a good houseplant. It requires a winter dormancy period (cold temperatures) and high light levels that are difficult to provide indoors. It is best grown outdoors.

Conclusion

Palace Purple Coral Bells has earned its place in the garden hall of fame. It delivers that rare combination of stunning, long-season foliage color, adaptability to shade, low maintenance needs, and a price point that won’t break the bank. Whether you tuck a single specimen into a container, line a woodland path with a dozen, or let it naturalize on a shady slope, it brings a touch of royalty to the garden without demanding royal treatment.

Remember the keys to success: give it well-drained soil, protect it from harsh afternoon sun, keep the crown high and dry, and divide it every few years. Do that, and this 1991 Perennial Plant of the Year will reward you with mounds of luscious purple foliage for many seasons to come. Happy planting

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent crown rot on Palace Purple Coral Bells?

Plant the crown slightly above soil level in well-draining soil amended with compost. Avoid heavy clay, overwatering, and piling mulch against the crown. Good drainage is the single most important factor.

Can Palace Purple Coral Bells be grown in containers?

Yes, they thrive in containers at least 12 inches wide and deep with drainage holes. Use a well-draining potting mix with added perlite. Water and fertilize more frequently than in-ground plants, and protect pots in winter in zones 6 and colder.

Do Palace Purple Coral Bells spread aggressively?

No, they are clump-forming perennials that slowly widen over time. They do not run or spread by rhizomes. They may self-seed lightly, but seedlings will not be true to the purple parent.

What are the best companion plants for Palace Purple?

Excellent companions include chartreuse plants like Hakonechloa ‘Aureola’ or Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’, silver plants like Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ or Japanese Painted Fern, and spring bloomers like white bleeding heart or pink astilbe.

How often should I water Palace Purple Coral Bells?

Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells, especially in the first year. Established plants have moderate drought tolerance but perform best with consistent moisture. Mulch helps retain soil moisture.

When do Palace Purple Coral Bells bloom?

They bloom in late spring to early summer, typically May through June depending on your zone. The flowers are small, creamy white to pale pink bells on wiry stems 18-24 inches tall.