How to Grow Palace Purple Coral Bells
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Palace Purple Coral Bells
Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
flowerPalace Purple Coral Bells is a striking foliage plant prized for its deep purple, almost black heart-shaped leaves that create dramatic color contrast in gardens. It produces delicate pink or red flowers on tall spikes in spring and early summer, though it's primarily grown for its ornamental foliage. This evergreen perennial is low-maintenance and perfect for borders, containers, and shade gardens.
When should you plant Palace Purple Coral Bells in your zone?
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Example Palace Purple Coral Bells timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Palace Purple Coral Bells
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 Palace Purple Coral Bells blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Palace Purple Coral Bells dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9, with best performance in zones 5-8
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Seedling/Young Plant
4-8 weeksSmall rosettes with emerging purple-tinged foliage, 2-4 inches tall
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light. Protect from direct afternoon sun. Begin feeding with balanced fertilizer after 4-6 weeks.
Vegetative Growth
Ongoing through growing seasonFull rosette with deep purple heart-shaped leaves, 12-18 inches tall and wide
Water regularly during dry spells. Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring. Remove any dead or damaged leaves. Thin crowns if becoming overcrowded.
Flowering
4-6 weeksDelicate pink, red, or white flowers appear on tall spikes rising above foliage, 18-24 inches tall
Flowers appear in spring to early summer. Deadheading spent flowers extends bloom time. Continue regular watering and maintenance. Feed with diluted balanced fertilizer.
Post-Flowering & Winter
6-8 monthsFlowers fade; plant maintains purple foliage year-round in evergreen form
Remove spent flower spikes if desired. Reduce watering but maintain slight moisture. In harsh winters (zones 3-4), apply 2-3 inches of mulch. Divide overcrowded plants in early spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening; use beer traps, copper barriers, or diatomaceous earth; encourage natural predators like ground beetles
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Remove damaged leaves; apply neem oil in late evening; beneficial nematodes target larvae; avoid over-watering which attracts them
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply sulfur spray or fungicide if infection occurs; remove heavily infected leaves
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Ensure excellent drainage; plant crowns at soil level; avoid overwatering; remove and destroy severely infected plants; improve air flow around plants
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Remove infected leaves immediately; avoid wetting foliage; ensure good drainage; severely infected plants should be removed and destroyed
Uses
Foliage Color & Garden Design
OrnamentalPalace Purple creates striking color contrast with silvery or lime-green plants. Its deep purple leaves serve as a dramatic focal point in shade gardens, borders, and mixed perennial beds, providing season-long visual interest. [source]
Container & Houseplant Growing
HouseholdExcellent choice for ornamental containers on patios and porches, particularly in partial shade. Can be grown indoors near a bright, indirect light source with proper drainage. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements
CraftThe delicate flower spikes can be cut for spring and early summer flower arrangements, and the purple foliage can be used in floral design for color contrast and texture. [source]
Pollinator & Wildlife Support
WildlifeThe flowers attract hummingbirds and bees, providing early-season nectar sources. Dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalCoral Bells (Heuchera genus) have been used in traditional Native American herbal preparations for various remedies, though Palace Purple is primarily ornamental. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Palace Purple is an ornamental foliage plant, not typically harvested. Foliage is evergreen and maintains color year-round in mild climates. Cut flowers can be harvested in spring when spikes emerge if desired for arrangements, cutting just above the basal rosette.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Palace Purple won the Perennial Plant Association's 'Plant of the Year' award in 1991 due to its outstanding ornamental foliage and ease of cultivation.
- 🌱 The foliage color deepens with cooler temperatures and more light exposure—plants grown in shade are typically deeper purple than those in brighter conditions.
- 🌱 Coral Bells are native to North American woodlands and have been cultivated for centuries by native peoples; modern ornamental varieties like Palace Purple are the result of selective breeding and hybridization.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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