5 Heuchera Companion Plants: Adding Vibrancy to the Garden

Heuchera companion plants are a great way to add visual variety to your flower garden without worrying about any dangers to the residents. Companion planting has many benefits; the most prominent one is companion plants’ mutual relation.

Coral bells are flowers that can have plenty of companions, with varying textures, shapes, colors, sizes, and characteristics that will bring a breath of fresh air with them.

Some plants bear vibrant flowers to keep the scene exciting and appealing, while others can thrive even in full shade, so read on.

List of the Best Heuchera Companion Plants

1. Blue Hostas

Blue Hosta is a unique plant with large waxy leaves with a blue tint. Sometimes, they also come with green and blue variegation, which adds another level of uniqueness to their appearance.

If they are kept in direct sunlight for a long time, the blue waxy coating will peel off, making the plant look pale green.

– Characteristics

These leaves are what make the blue hosta a visually appealing plant. The flowers are bell-shaped that grow on long flower stacks.

The leaves of these plants can flaunt their full beauty in a shady environment, as excessive sunlight will scorch the leaves and peel off the blue tint. Their resistance to shade is a big positive as they can fill the shaded regions of the garden.

These blue little leaves are planted in early spring after the first frost leaves the land, or they can be produced at the end of summer as the heat ends in early fall.

One important thing to consider is that these plants are toxic to humans and pets, so proper care should be taken when planting them. Choose a location where you can get companion planting benefits without hurting children or pets.

Hostas are very tolerant to many climate and soil situations as they can quickly adapt and thrive in different growing conditions. There are also many varieties of slow, medium, or fast-growing hostas, giving you a lot of wiggle room depending on your areas and needs. However, you must make sure that they won’t get bitten by wild animals, because often they are favored.

– Growth Requirements

These leaves would actually feel happy when they are placed in a loamy, moist, and well-draining soil that will not get waterlogged. They also like soil that is rich in nutrients and acidic in nature. When you over water it, the roots may be weak enough not to properly establish themselves.

Some hosta varieties require the sun to grow properly, but some varieties thrive in the shade, as exposure to the sun can lead to leaf scorch.

On another note, also remember that they require proper watering in their early days, but they can tolerate some dryness once they are established. It is better to do occasional deep watering instead of regular shallow watering, but of course, this would be ideal in summery days, when the weather is warmer than usual.

2. Penstemon

Penstemon is a beautiful genus of the plantain family of ornamental flowering planting, including foxglove and snapdragon.

They make a great companion plant alongside coral bells, with their brightly colored flowers and leaves. They are a great way to introduce contrasting colors to the garden.

– Characteristics

Penstemon comes in various colors, like white, pink, purple, and deep red. So, there is no shortage of options to match your taste. This plant’s long narrow leaves perfectly complement Alchemilla’s rounded leaves. Not only colors but there are also around 250 species of penstemon to find the perfect one for you.

Penstemons are perennial plants that are also known as “beardtongue.” This nickname rises from the pollen-free stamen that rises from inside the flowers of penstemon. This stamen looks like a bearded iris with its shape and positioning, hence the nickname. Penstemon grows quickly from seeds that can be planted in early spring.

– Growth Requirements

These plants would prefer to grow in rocky, well-drained soils instead of rich garden soils, because the latter would stress them. However, as you would be using compost to make the ground better for plants is okay, but avoid applying manure. They also prefer soils that are neutral or acidic.

Like many other flowering plants, penstemon like their time under full sun and will produce the best flowers. On another note, also keep in mind that they are very tolerant of droughts but need water once a week to be healthy, as they would establish themselves.

3. Hellebore Plant

The hellebore plant is also known as the Lenten rose and Helleborus spp. It has beautiful, thick leaves that grow near the ground in groups.

The lobe-shaped leaves are reminiscent of palms. A hellebore is an excellent option for companion planting with coral bells. They will complement each other’s looks beautifully.

– Characteristics

There are around 20 different types of Helleborus. These plants typically have fragrant, multicolored flowers which bloom in late winter or the beginning of spring. In addition to their stunning and unusual flowers, hellebore plants have attractive evergreen leaves that contribute to the landscape’s aesthetic appeal.

The plant requires different lighting conditions throughout the year, which may become tiresome for some people. It thrives under the sun during winter but prefers partial shade during summer due to the fear of leaf scorch.

Which would show that, you must only choose this plant if you can keep up with this minor maintenance requirement, as this would also help you in lowering your anxiety about the plant’s well-being.

Other than this, Hellebores do not require a lot of maintenance once they have matured. These are among the few cold-hardy plants. Even during the winter, these plants will tear through the cold soil as spring draws near. One safety hazard to remember with this plant is its toxic nature toward humans and pets.

– Growth Requirements

Hellebore plants thrive in moist soils that drain quickly and if they are neutral or alkaline in nature. You can add some lime to your ground if it is acidic, so that it would establish itself and show a healthy growth rather than a stressful one. 

As mentioned above, hellebore plants require some consideration regarding the amount of light they need. They prefer to stay under the full sun during winter, so it absorbs heat and light. But in summer, they thrive in partially shady areas to avoid excessive heat and damage to their leaves.

They require moderate water but do not like soggy soils as it can lead to rotting in their roots. Once they establish their root system, they can handle drier soils, and they will grow perfectly well next to your heuchera.

4. Impatiens

Impatiens are tropical and circum-northern flowering plants. They are also known as touch-me-not, snapweed, and patience in America. Impatiens are often grown as annuals, with flowers that bloom between spring and fall.

Their vividly colored petals would offer a splash of color to your garden or yard, which is why they would be a great combination with the coral bells.

– Characteristics

Although Impatiens are typically grown as annuals, they can also be grown as perennials if planted in tropical hardiness zones. These plants bloom throughout the summer. Like the other companion plants listed above, they prefer full or partial shade to flourish, making them a perfect combination with coral bells.

They are among the most prominent bedding flowers due to their range of vibrant colors and their ability to survive in partial shade.

On another note, you can even place them to add some vibrancy, as the colors of their flowers include red, pink, purple, violet, or yellow. Basically, no matter what variety you choose to plant, they will bring a refreshing sight to your flower garden.

These plants are planted just after the last frost has passed, which aligns with Memorial Day in North America, which is why they are popularly cultivated during those times. After their seeds are in the ground, these fast-growing plants make their way out of the earth and bloom in abundance during the late spring and summer months. 

– Growth Requirements

Impatiens like to grow in acidic, moist but well-draining soil that helps them get the necessary moisture without the danger of waterlogging.

When they are in a soggy soil, you will see this plant change its colors and turn weaker and yellow, because of the abundance of water in the chlorophyll. Impatiens need consistent and moderate water, but if you live in a warmer region, you may have to increase watering.

However, to see it healthy, they can grow in partially sunny areas with sufficient watering, but their most significant selling point is their ability to thrive in complete shade. Not many plants can thrive in the shade, and impatiens will bloom with their full glory even if you keep them in full shade.

5. Daylilies

Daylilies are beautiful perennial plants that are an excellent option as heuchera companions. They thrive in the same growing conditions and do not compete for space or nutrients with their neighbors.

These beautiful flowers would be accommodated perfectly with heuchera plants without any hindrance or harm, on contrary, they would grow well and show beauty together.

– Characteristics

These plants produce abundant flowers from summer all the way to winter months. But their flowers are not the only reason to plant them. Their strapped leaves contrast beautifully with the heuchera flowers when daylilies are not blooming. In short, they both complement each other in all the best ways.

The daylilies are hardy, easy-to-grow, and low-maintenance flowers. These qualities of a perfect plant give your garden increased beauty, interest, and appeal without asking for much in return. They are also flexible to be planted in spring or fall, a few weeks before the frost comes.

These plants can grow very quickly if all these benefits are not enough to make you fall in love with these beautiful lilies. This means you do not need to wait long to see them bloom.

However, their fast growth can be a problem in some areas where they are considered invasive. Another thing to keep in mind is that they are toxic to cats, which means that you must place them in a strategic place where your pets cannot reach them. 

– Growth Requirements

Daylilies achieve their full potential in areas that receive plenty of sunlight as it helps them produce abundant and healthy flowers.

These plants grow very well in moist soils that drain quickly. However, when subjected to excessive moisture can lead to root rot, or in short, the roots will start to become weaker 

On another note, when it comes to their irrigation requirements, these flower would thrive when they receive a moderate amount of water, but it is necessary to avoid over-watering as it will lead to concerns for the plant.

Conclusion

Heuchera companion plants come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You can choose from many options, depending on your requirements and tastes.

Some plants are repellent for pests and local wildlife.

• While many plants thrive under the sun, some prefer shady areas, so choose a spot best suited for them.
• There are also flowering plants solely for ornamental purposes, adding more colors and vibrancy to your already colorful garden. 
• Many plants grow in acidic or neutral soil, but some plants may need alkaline soil so test your soil before planting any seeds.
• Many of these low-maintenance companion plants will not become an extra chore on your to-do list.

So, you can get the benefits of companion planting along while also enhancing the beauty of your home. These companion plants will help you fully use your outdoor space without fearing harming any plants already in your garden. Which one would you rather plant?