How to Grow Coral Bells Palace Purple
Wikimedia Commons
Coral Bells Palace Purple
Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
flowerCoral Bells Palace Purple is a stunning foliage plant prized for its deep purple, almost black heart-shaped leaves that remain colorful year-round. Delicate spikes of tiny pink or white flowers emerge in late spring to early summer, adding an ethereal quality to the vibrant foliage. This compact perennial is ideal for adding dramatic color contrast to garden beds and containers.
When should you plant Coral Bells Palace Purple in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Coral Bells Palace Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Coral Bells Palace Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Coral Bells Palace Purple blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coral Bells Palace Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8
Sign up free to see if Coral Bells Palace Purple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Coral Bells Palace Purple timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-8 weeksYoung transplant with small rosette of purple foliage, still developing root system
Water regularly to keep soil moist without waterlogging. Shelter from strong wind. Apply light mulch around (not touching) crown
Vegetative Growth
Spring through summer, 4-6 monthsPlant expands with increasing number of deeply colored purple leaves forming a dense mound
Water consistently, maintain mulch layer, fertilize lightly in spring with balanced fertilizer. Remove any dead or damaged leaves
Flowering
Late spring to mid-summer, 6-8 weeksTall, delicate flower spikes (12-18 inches) emerge above foliage, bearing small pink, white, or red-tinged flowers
Spikes may benefit from staking in windy locations. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and neaten appearance
Summer Rest
Mid-summer, 4-8 weeksPlant growth slows in hot summer months; foliage color may become less vibrant in extreme heat
Increase watering in hot weather, provide afternoon shade in zones 8-9, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that may reduce cold hardiness
Fall & Winter Dormancy
Fall through winter, 4-6 monthsFoliage may develop reddish or bronze tones as temperatures cool. Plant enters semi-dormancy, leaves persist but growth stops
Reduce watering, avoid fertilizing, do not cut back foliage in fall (provides insulation). Clean up dead leaves in early spring only
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Remove infested leaves, use nematodes in soil, apply insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects
-
Improve drainage, avoid waterlogging, remove affected plants, ensure crown is not buried
-
Improve air circulation, remove infected leaves, apply fungicide if severe, water at soil level only
-
and
Handpick, use copper barriers, apply slug bait or beer traps, encourage predatory beetles
-
Increase humidity, spray with water, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, remove heavily infested foliage
Uses
Border and Container Accent
OrnamentalPalace Purple's deep foliage provides striking contrast in mixed borders, shade gardens, and containers. Works beautifully as edging and in combination with bright-colored annuals or other foliage plants. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe delicate flower spikes attract bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in late spring and early summer, providing valuable nectar resources. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
HouseholdBoth the foliage and flower spikes can be cut for fresh arrangements, with foliage lasting weeks in water and providing purple color to bouquets. [source]
Dried Flower Crafts
CraftFlower spikes dry well and can be used in dried flower arrangements, crafts, and decorative displays that last for months. [source]
Year-Round Color Interest
OrnamentalPalace Purple provides consistent deep purple foliage throughout the growing season and into winter, offering structure and color when many other plants fade. [source]
Harvest Tips
Coral Bells is grown as an ornamental foliage plant, not harvested in the traditional sense. Deadhead flower spikes after blooming to redirect energy to foliage and maintain neat appearance. Remove dead or damaged leaves throughout the season. Divide plants every 3-4 years in spring to rejuvenate and prevent woody center die-out.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Palace Purple is one of the most deeply colored Heuchera varieties, with foliage so dark it appears nearly black in certain light conditions, making it a living sculpture in the garden
- 🌱 This cultivar was introduced in the 1980s and remains one of the most popular coral bells varieties due to its reliable performance and stunning color in zones 3-8
- 🌱 The delicate flower spikes are actually composed of hundreds of tiny flowers and can reach heights of 12-18 inches, creating an airy contrast to the dense foliage mound below
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Coral Bells Palace Purple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Coral Bells Palace Purple seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Coral Bells Palace Purple timeline →