Heucheras 2015 - notes

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© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. CountyProject SOUND – 2015 (our 11th year)

© Project SOUND

Heavenly Heucheras: gardening with our lovely

native Coral Bells

C.M. Vadheim and T. DrakeCSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh PreserveDecember 5 & 10, 2015

The genus Heuchera

In the Saxifrage Family

All from the Americas (N./Central)

Commonly called ‘Coral Bells’ (for the flowers) and ‘Alumroots’ (for their astringent, alum-like roots)

Similar in appearance Leaves round to heart-shaped with

long petioles Basel rosette/mound Small, bell-shaped flowers on

wand-like stalk

Hybridize widely in the wild – and in the garden

© Project SOUNDhttp://plants.usda.gov/gallery/large/hepu9_001_lvd.jpg

The Saxifrages - Family Saxifragaceae

© Project SOUNDhttp://montana.plant-life.org/families/Saxifragaceae.htm

Name: ‘stone-breaker’

Most grow either in alpine/arctic areas or in moist, shady forests

~775 known species in 48 genera; taxonomy – difficult, contentious

Most herbaceous perennials/small shrubs

Flowers perfect (bisexual) with 4 or 5 petals and 5 or 10 stamens.

Floral symmetry – radial (star-shaped)

Many used medicinally

Many are garden favorites, particularly for rock/crevice gardens or for shade

http://www.digilibraries.com/html_ebooks/106887/18913/www.digilibraries.com@18913@18913-h@[email protected]

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The Saxifrages - Family Saxifragaceae Mostly Northern

Hemisphere: centers of diversity in the Himalayas, East Asia, and Western North America.

The greatest diversity in the Pacific Northwest of North America

Two lineages: ‘saxifroides’ - true

Saxifrages (arctic/alpine) ‘heucheroids’ – all the rest

© Project SOUND

CA genera (all ‘heucheroids’): Boykinia Heuchera Tellima

Saxifragaceae – genetic analysis gives evidence of an old family

Saxifragaceae began to diversify ~38.37 million years ago (Mya; 95% HPD = 30.99–46.11 Mya) in the Mid-Late Eocene

The two major lineages, the heucheroids and saxifragoids, began to diversify ~30.04 Mya (95% HPD = 23.87–37.15 Mya) and 30.85 Mya (95% HPD = 23.47–39.33 Mya), respectively.

Several geographic radiations within Saxifragaceae: one in eastern Asia and multiple radiations in western North America.

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© Project SOUND

Heucheras

Saxifrage (and Heuchera) paleobotany

Began in Late Oligocene

Warmer temperature Much more humid (less water

tied up in polar ice)

Survived the Quaternary to the present

‘Ice Age’ conditions – several glacial and inter-glacial periods

Over-all temperatures are cooler

Overall drier conditions

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

The genus Heuchera – Coral Bells

All have palmately lobed leaves on long petioles and a thick, woody rootstock.

Grow in varied habitats

There is an extensive array of blossom sizes, shapes, and colors, foliage types, and geographic tolerances.

Make good garden plants

Gardeners and horticulturists have developed a multitude of hybrids between various Heuchera and related species.

© 2004, Ben Legler

The genus Heuchera Taxonomy - difficult until now

Few morphologic characters with sufficient variability

Small flowers Inter-breeding between

populations Much variability even within

populations Unusual geographic distributions

Numbers of accepted species have vacillated between 27 (Rosendahl, 1905) and 72(Rydberg, 1905), with extensive revisions through the years.

Currently n = 43© Project SOUND

http://www.bonap.org/Most%20Number%20of%20Native%20Species/Native%20Species%20per%20Genus.html

What does this geographic distribution suggest?

Taxonomy of the Heucheras 1840 - Torrey and Gray, first proposed

sections 1905 - Rydberg created unranked names that

were afterwards interpreted as subsections (validated at that rank in the 1930s by Engler).

1936 - Rosendahl, Butters, and Lakela (last genus monograph) combined these categories into a system of sections and subsections that has been used by later workers. Their sections, largely based on the Torrey and Gray system, have proved artificial.

1984 - arrangement of the eastern species improved by E.F. Wells.

2014 - taxonomy realigned on the basis of combined DNA and morphology (Folk & Freudenstein, 2014; American Journal of Botany).

2015 - three sections, a tentative fourth, with two species that still could not be placed confidently.

© Project SOUND

Per Axel Rydberg - (1860-1931)

http://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/libr/finding_guide/rydberg.asp.html

Ryan A. Folk

https://sites.google.com/site/ryanheuchera/aboutme

Phylogenomics (phylogeny + genomics) Phylogeny: the study of the evolution of

taxonomic groups Genomics: the use of modern DNA analysis to

study the structure and function of genes Phylogenomics: a rapidly developing field that

uses broad sampling of genetic regions across the genome in order to infer an estimate of the "tree of life" for a set of species.

Four major areas fall under phylogenomics: Prediction of gene function Establishment and clarification of evolutionary

relationships Gene family evolution Prediction and retracing lateral gene transfer.

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"CollapsedtreeLabels-simplified" by Original uploader was User:TimVickers, SVG conversion by User:User_A1 - Own work (Original text: Self made.). Licensed under Public Domain via Commons -https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CollapsedtreeLabels-simplified.svg#/media/File:CollapsedtreeLabels-simplified.svg

Phylogenomics has recently changed the taxonomy of the Heucheras

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Maximum likelihood cladogram for the total-evidence data set

(morphology + DNA) Inset: ML cladogram with proportional ML branch lengths; legend: major

taxonomic groups in the current study.

Ryan A. Folk, and John V. Freudenstein Am. J. Bot. 2014;101:1532-1550

www.amjbot.org

Eastern Heucheras

Clear Pacific Northwest origin for Heuchera itself.

Eastern species: At least once from the

Pacific Northwest At least twice from Rockies?

© Project SOUND

http://www.bonap.org/Most%20Number%20of%20Native%20Species/Native%20Species%20per%20Genus.html

Sect. Heuchera

• Subsect. Heuchera (= subsect. Americanae; across the eastern US)• H. americana• H. caroliniana• H. pubescens• H. alba• H. longiflora• H. richardsonii

• Subsect. Parvifoliae (Great Basin, southern Basin and Range, northern Rockies)• H. parvifolia• H. wootonii• H. soltisii

• Subsect. Novomexicanae (Southern Basin and Range; white flowers)• H. novomexicana• H. glomerulata• H. eastwoodiae• H. inconstans

© Project SOUND

13 California native Heuchera species Heuchera abramsii – San Gabriel alumroot* Heuchera brevistaminea - Mt. laguna alumroot* Heuchera caespitosa - Urn-flowered alumroot* Heuchera chlorantha - Green flowered alumroot Heuchera cylindrica - Roundleaf alumroot Heuchera hirsutissima - Shaggy haired alumroot* Heuchera maxima - Island alumroot* Heuchera merriamii - Merriam's alumroot Heuchera micrantha - Alum root Heuchera parishii - Parish's alumroot* Heuchera parvifolia - Littleleaf alumroot Heuchera pilosissima – Seaside alum root Heuchera rubescens - Pink alumroot

*rare, with limited range© Project SOUND

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Parsimony reconstructions of ancestral character states with

legends, based on the maximum likelihood total-evidence tree.

Ryan A. Folk, and John V. FreudensteinAm. J. Bot. 2014;101:1532-1550

www.amjbot.org

California species

Sect. Rhodoheuchera

© Project SOUND

• Subsect. Hemsleyanae (Sierra Madre of Mexico)• H. longipetala• H. acutifolia• H. mexicana

• Subsect. Rosendahliae (northern Sierra Madre Occidentale)• H. rosendahlii• H. wellsiae

• Subsect. Rubescentes• H. rubescens• H. parishii (may fit better in the following section)

• Subsect. Elegantes (Transverse Ranges of California, and the nearby Laguna Mountains)

• H. abramsii• H. elegans• H. caespitosa• H. hirsutissima• H. brevistaminea• H. pulchella (placement tentative)

• Subsect. Sanguineae (primarily Sierra Madre Occidental, outliers in the northernmost Sierra Madre Oriental, southernmost Basin and Range)

• H. lakelae• H. sanguinea

Sect. Holochloa

• Subsect. Villosae (unglaciated eastern US)• H. villosa• H. puberula• H. missouriensis• H. parviflora

• Subsect. Micranthae (Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada)• H. micrantha• H. maxima• H. pilosissima

• Subsect. Cylindricae (Northern Rockies and adjacent areas)• H. chlorantha• H. cylindrica

© Project SOUND

Saxifrage (and Heuchera) paleobotany

Began in Late Oligocene

Warmer temperature Much more humid (less water

tied up in polar ice)

Survived the Quaternary to the present

‘Ice Age’ conditions – several glacial and inter-glacial periods

Over-all temperatures are cooler

Overall drier conditions

© Project SOUND

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Three main strategies to survive drastic environmental changes

1. Move – to places where conditions are better

2. Evolve – change so as to survive the changed situations

3. Hang on – in places that continue to have the right conditions

© Project SOUND

*Tall alumroot - Heuchera chlorantha

© Project SOUND

© Rod Gilbert

Native to forests of WA, OR

Sect. Holochloa• Subsect. Villosae (unglaciated eastern US)

• H. villosa• H. puberula• H. missouriensis• H. parviflora



Incertae sedis• H. glabra• H. merriamii

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

*Roundleaf alumroot – Heuchera cylindrica

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British Columbia and Alberta south to northeastern California and east to northern Nevada, Wyoming, and Montana.

In CA – Modoc county only

© Project SOUND

*Roundleaf alumroot – Heuchera cylindrica

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?HECY2

© 2012, Ray Izumi

© Project SOUND

Roundleaf alumroot: lush-appearing foliage Size:

~ 1 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Mounded, evergreen perennial Foliage all basal; fairly tight

rosette Foliage smooth to glandular/

hairy

Foliage: Medium green, lobed leaves

with succulent appearance Lush, tidy appearance

Roots: short taproot - 18 inches or less

© 2004, Ben Legler

Flowers in the genus Heuchera

© Project SOUNDhttp://botany.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/301Manhart/Dicots/Rosidae/Sax/Sax.html

http://www.geo.arizona.edu/palynology/geos581/lec_14.html

Hypanthium (floral cup) is prominent –green, white or pink colored; shape varies from urn- to bell- or trumpet-shaped

Petals are often diminutive, white or pink

Male sexual parts (stamens) either extend out beyond petals (are exserted) or do not.

© Project SOUND

Flowers: a bit different Blooms: April-Aug. – spring (April-

June) in S. California

Flowers: On upright stalks above the

foliage (typical for genus) Flowers clustered at top of

stalks; short flower stems Flowers cup-shaped; yellow

green hypanthium, yellow-white petals

Sexual parts internal Hummingbirds & bumblebees

Seeds: small, in dry capsule

Vegetative reproduction: via rhizomes

http://www.answers.com/topic/dudleya

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© Project SOUND

Remember: this is a Pacific Northwest plant Soils:

Texture: any well-drained soil pH: any local

Light: part-shade to shade; full sun only works on N. CA coast.

Water: Winter: plenty Summer: keep soil semi-moist;

Water Zone 2-3 (let dry out a little between waterings)

Fertilizer: fine with occasional fertilizer and organic mulches

Other: look for mealybugs and mildrew in warm, damp conditions

© 2012, G. D. Carr

© Project SOUND

Perfect for a green oasis Watered shady beds with ferns,

Iris, perennials, grass-like plants

Along walkways in a woodsy garden

Rock gardens; shady slopes; groundcover under watered trees

As accent/evergreen in containershttp://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HECY2

© 2011, Ron Bockelman

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heuchera_cylindrica_4706.JPG

Heuchera cylindrica ‘Greenfinch’ Available from Annie’s Annuals

Dark green, mottled leaves – pretty groundcover or foliage plant

36” tall (with flower stalks), 24” wide;

Long-stemmed green flowers for floral arrangements – quite the thing!

USDA zones 4-10

© Project SOUND

http://www.appeltern.nl/nl/plantenencyclopedie/heuchera_cylindrica_greenfinch_-_purperklokje

http://www.heuchera.org/Hostapagina's/G/greenfinch.htm

‘Green Ivory’ has flowers that are ivory-colored

http://bloomsofbressinghamplants.com/us/Gardeners/Variety/Heuchera_Green_Ivory.html&s=1&genus=&common=&variety=

Why use the ‘tall green’ Heucheras?

© Project SOUND

To provide vertical interest (much as we use grass-like plants in drier gardens)

http://www.seedsite.eu/product/heuchera-cylindrica

To create a woodsy feel, like the Pacific Northwest

http://zaaisite.nl/info/heuchera_cylindrica.htm

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Heucheras can be eaten as food

Young leaves of alumroot are edible when steamed or boiled

They are mildly astringent (drying and tissue-contracting), so may leave you thirsty.

© Project SOUND

The lowland, coastal Heucheras of CA look more like the garden Heucheras

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© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College






© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Small-flower Coral Bells/Crevice Alumroot –Heuchera micrantha

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

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© Project SOUND

Small-flower Coral Bells –Heuchera micrantha

Native in the inner coastal areas of much of California, through the Sierras and Cascades up into to Idaho and British Columbia.

Likes to grow in crevices and in wet rocky areas

Closed-cone Pine Forest, Mixed-evergreen Forest and Redwood Forest.

In other words, more forest-like than we have here in western L.A. Co.

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Heuchera+micranthahttp://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=4171

http://www.swsbm.com/Maps/Maps.html

© Project SOUND

Small-flower Coral Bells is a petite Heuchera

Size: 1-2 ft tall 1-2 ft wide Slow-growing

Growth form: Herbaceous perennial Mounded clump

Foliage: Leaves basal, hairy, medium

green with distinctive red veins. Neat, pleasant and showy ‘woodsy’ look

Roots: thick, woody© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: light to medium soils;

good drainage pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade Some shade probably better in

our area

Water: Winter: needs good rains Summer: likes somewhat damp

soils – Zone 2-3 probably best

Fertilizer: Best grown in organically

rich soils Add humus; organic (leaf)

mulches

http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/Go-Native/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=127&PhotoID=366

© Project SOUND

Flowers are lovely when massed

Blooms: usually Apr-June in S. CA gardens

Flowers: Whitish - Pink, tiny, in nodding

clusters along stems Dainty-looking Very showy when massed;

drifts of flowering stalks

Seeds: Tiny Fairly easy to propagate

Vegetative reproduction: divide clumps every 3-4 years in spring.Gladys Lucille Smith © California Academy of Sciences

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Dividing Heucheras Divide 3-4 year old Heucheras in

spring (when actively growing)

Dig up the clump

Break it into smaller clumps, either by hand or using a stout knife; be sure that each clump has a good root system

Replant divisions, keep well-watered

Discard old woody material

Dividing encourages new growth and more abundant flowering – it also propagates new plants.

© Project SOUND

http://gardening.lohudblogs.com/2007/11/17/dividing-heuchera-for-a-new-garden/

Heucheras are definite candidates for small gardens

Great in large pots and planters

Nice flower for the shaded rock garden.

Excellent for edging, borders

Good ground cover for a woodland garden

© 2004, Ben Legler

One of the few groundcovers that will grow under walnut trees.

http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/heuchera-micrantha

http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html

Heuchera micrantha var. diversifolia 'Palace Purple'

Source seed was actually the southeast U.S. native Heuchera villosa var. macrorrhiza

Originated in England from seed imported from a U.S. Botanic Garden; introduced to American gardens in 1986

'Palace Purple‘ - first grown at the Queen's palace at Kew Gardens.

First Heuchera to be widely grown here for its dramatic foliage. Received the Perennial Plant Association Plant-of-the-Year award in 1991.

Excellent choice for edge of the border, or in containers (dramatic ‘filler’ plant).

© Project SOUNDhttp://notanothergardeningblog.com/2012/09/17/holy-h-batman/

The love affair with purple foliage

Mostly an Eastern/European gardening phenomenon

Often based on Eastern species and crosses with Tiarellas

Has kept many plant breeders in business

Fills a need in shady gardens that may be a little gloomy in summers with cloudy skies

Contrasting foliage (of the lush variety) is used more in areas with more rainfall

© Project SOUND

http://leef-tuinen.nl/natuurlijke-achtertuin-oisterwijk/

http://livingfashion.co.nz/variety/tiarella-appalachian-trail/

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The leaf colors are amazing…

© Project SOUND

http://www.greatbiggreenhouse.com/Expert-Advice/Plant-Listings/Perennial-Flowers/Heuchera.aspx

…but they look more appropriate in moist gardens

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http://thegardeningcook.com/heuchera/

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*Seaside alumroot – Heuchera pilosissima

http://www.larnerseeds.com/file/heuchera-pilosissimajpg

Endemic to coastal CA from Del Norte Co. in the far north (and S. OR) to Santa Barbara Co.

Wooded, coastal slopes and coastal bluffs below 1000 ft.

© Project SOUND

*Seaside alumroot – Heuchera pilosissima

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?HEPI3

https://www.flickr.com/photos/polylepis/5731442786

http://www.mostlynatives.com/sites/default/files/heucherapilosissima.jpg

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© Project SOUND

Seaside heuchera: medium-size & hairy

Size: 1-2 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Evergreen, herbaceous

perennial Mounded form – spreads

slowly via short rhizomes

Foliage: Leaves medium green, grape-

like, rounded with slight lobing Long petioles All very hairy, glandular

Roots: shallow

© Project SOUND

Flowers: unusual shape

Blooms: spring - usually Mar-May in S. CA gardens

Flowers: On upright stalk typical of

genus Flowers small, urn-shaped Hypanthium (floral cup)

green to pink, very hairy Petals small, white-pink Sexual parts exerted Attract hummingbirds

Seeds: Many small, in dry capsule

©2007 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

Requirements: typical for N. Coastal species Soils:

Texture: well-drained soils; fine in sand pH: slightly acidic (5.0-7.0) best

Light: Part-shade to quite shady in S. CA

(grows in forests right along the damp Northern coast)

Water: Winter: needs good rains/irrigation Summer: moist soils – probably the most

water-loving native Heuchera

Fertilizer: low needs, but yearly dose of ½ strength fertilizer wouldn’t hurt

Other: organic mulches fine

© Project SOUND

One of the best for places with regular water

Shady borders, planters Lining walkways Woodland-themed gardens As an attractive pot plant

https://sites.google.com/site/ryanheuchera/heuchera-pilosissima

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/7020331907

http://www.larnerseeds.com/file/heuchera-pilosissimajpg

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Native coastal Heucheras work well in gardens

Cultural requirements ‘garden friendly’: Soils: adaptable; heavy clays can be

problem pH: neutral or slightly acid Water: moderate to regular

Size/shape is good for bed borders

Evergreen foliage

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.wmwd.watersavingplants.com/GWImage.php?image=199&source=gt

‘Lillian’s Pink’ (H. pilosissima x H. sanguinea)

Selected for the garden by Ron Lusko; introduced by Cal Flora Nursery

Named after Lillian Henningsen, (first appeared in as a chance seedling in her garden).

1-2 ft. tall & wide; upright compact habit

Larger, darker flowers than most Heuchera (due to H. sanguinea parent)

Excellent in part-shade; a bit more drought tolerant than H. pilosissima (occasional/ moderate water)

© Project SOUND

http://www.mostlynatives.com/plants/heuchera-lillians-pink

What’s the appropriate mulch for heucheras?

As always, depends on what is the natural mulch:

Northern Forest species –mosses; leaf mulch

Coastal Forest species –organic mulch, but not too thick

Crevice/S. CA species – gravel or other inorganic mulch

Always trade-off between the benefits of mulch and the risk of fungal disease (roots & leaves)

© Project SOUND

Heuchera merriamii : a mystery solved

This species occurs in the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California.

Flowers are very similar to those of H. maxima and H. pilosissima

While previously these species have been classified together, they do not appear to be closely related.

© Project SOUND

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© Project SOUND

Heucheras grow in several CA mountain ranges

Cascade/Klamath/Modoc Coastal Ranges Sierra Nevada Range____________________

Transverse Ranges Peninsular Ranges

© Project SOUND

http://www.sanandreasfault.org/CaGeo.html

H. maxima is unique among S. California Heucheras

Native to the N. Channel Islands Is similar – and related to – the Central/Northern

CA species in Section Holochloa© Project SOUND

http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/heuchera/heuchera_socal.html#pix

Island Alumroot – Heuchera maxima

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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Island Alumroot in nature

Moist shady areas in chaparral and coastal sage scrub on N. Channel Islands: Moist, shady, north-facing

canyon bottoms, Canyon walls Moist cliffs Seacliffs

Low elevations

http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ProfileImage.asp?FN=2240a

Island Alumroot: somewhat similar to northern coastal species

Growth form: clumping – low mounds of leaves on long petioles

Foliage: leaves rounded or heart-shaped, may be variegated

Roots: long taproot – more drought tolerant than non-CA species

Flowers: late winter-mid-spring White to light pink Bell-shaped On long stems well above the foliage

Growth requirements – Island Alumroot Sun: full sun on the coast, part shade

anywhere Soils:

Any well-drained – sandy is best Any pH except very acidic

Nutrients: organic supplements, mulches are useful

Water: Regular water to establish Two to four times a month (especially

in summer and at inland locations) to keep plants green and lengthen bloom.

Are fairly drought tolerant in shady sites – just look a little raggedy with summer drought

http://www.gardenbuddies.com/forum/messages/4314/6145.html

Regular maintenance of Heuchers

Mulch with appropriate mulch Watch for known pests/diseases:

Slugs/snails Mealybugs Scale insects Fungal disease (root) Mildew

Remove dead foliage and flowering stalks

Fertilize containerized plants (and those grown in sandy soils) with ½ strength fertilizer once a year

Divide every 3-5 years – when flowering decreases

© Project SOUND

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Versatile plant in the garden Woodland and shade gardens or borders

For cut flowers

Habitat for bees and hummingbirds

As a groundcover in shady parts of the garden, including under trees (oaks & pines)

In pots & containers (2 ft deep or more)

http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/heuchera_maxima.htm

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=0164 http://www.plantmaster.com/gardens/eplant.php?plantnum=24193

Design: Mass plantings or accent plant?

Mass plantings – utilize the principle of repetition

Accent plantings - utilize the principle of contrast

All Heucheras are splendid when used either way

© Project SOUND

Floral color – two looks from Heucheras

Modern architecture Dark areas of the garden With other, competing floral

colors

Old-fashioned, cottage garden Natural landscapes (true

California look); woodsy look

© Project SOUND

‘in your face’ red

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/325033298082321235/ https://www.sbbg.org/easy-8

‘soothing and natural’ pink

Coastal Heucheras: perfect choice for a woodsy garden

© Project SOUND

http://watersmartsdlandscaping.org/GWImage.php?image=70&source=gt&index=6&page=1

Heuchera & Wild strawberry (Fragaria)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65eAbg4g7aU/UXNz8QW-HlI/AAAAAAAAHPc/coVuxLJdql0/s1600/aristolochia-heuchera-fern-closer.jpg

Border a lawn for the feel of a woodland opening

http://bgm.stanford.edu/groups/grounds/special/ca_native_chart

Pair with water-loving native ferns

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Heucheras & grass-like plants are naturals

together N. CA grass species Sedges (Carex) species Rushes (Juncus) species

© Project SOUND

http://www.junescott.net/garden-friendly-california-natives/

http://www.pasadena.watersavingplants.com/GWImage.php?image=885&source=gg&index=2&page=6

‘Opal’ & ‘Wendy’https://thehumanfootprint.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/more-great-reliable-plants-for-california-landscapes/

http://www.thegardengeek.com/content/heuchera-maxima-giant-heuchera http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/Native-plants-in-containers.html

Understated elegance as an

accent plant

Heucheras in containers

No special potting soil except for those that need extra gravel

Shallow roots – don’t need a deep container (except H. maxima)

Elegant alone – or in mixed containers

© Project SOUND

http://www.enjoycontainergardening.com/heucheras-in-container-gardens.html

http://awaytogarden.com/the-best-heuchera-and-how-to-grow-them/

Heucheras and moisture-loving native ferns make a fetching combination

Heucheras have the potential to hybridize

Doesn’t occur often in the wilds due to geographic separation

Happens all the time in gardens

Hybridizers also make specific crosses, choosing parent plants with particular characteristics

H. maxima is often chosen:

Larger overall size Large leaves Large, open flowers Relative drought tolerance

© Project SOUND

Heuchera maxima (tall), H. sanguinea (dark pink) & H. elegans (lighter pink)

http://kristamaxwell.com/garden/photos.html

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The quest for a better pink….

Native plants will frequently produce hybrids with closely related exotic plants. Quite a number of such cases are well documented.

Heuchera sanguinea (from Arizona) has hybridized with the following natives:

H. elegans, H. hirsutissima, H. maxima H. pilosissima H. merriamii (pringlei)

© Project SOUND

*Arizona Coral Bells - Heuchera sanguinea

Native to S.e. AZ, s.w. NM, N. Mexico

Grows in moist, shady, foothill woodlands

Has the most outrageous bright pink/red flowers – used to produce red cultivars

© Project SOUND

http://loghouseplants.com/plants/shop/heuchera-sanguinea-ruby-bells-coral-bells/

‘Ruby Bells’

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/74098356341543411/

http://notanothergardeningblog.com/tag/foliage-plants/

Lee Lenz and the ‘RSABG Hybrids’ In the 1950s, Lee Lenz (Rancho Santa

Ana Botanic Garden) started hybridizing Heuchera maxima with Heuchera sanguinea (Arizona/NM species) to create garden hybrids.

Became known as the "Rancho Santa Ana hybrids". Breeding program continues.

The hybrids inherited their large stature and tall flowering stems from Heuchera maxima while getting larger indidual flower size and darker colors from Heuchera sanguinea.

Exibited hybrid vigor, making them great garden plants. In the garden, they are essentially treated like H. maxima: shade and some summer water.

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3389/santa-ana-cardinal-coral-bells/

Heuchera 'Genevieve'

Introduced in 1974; named after the wife of Percy Everett, who was the garden horticulturalist at the time

Dark green leaves that have silvery markings with magenta flowers.

Renowned for its pink flowers, strong stature and very long bloom season.

© Project SOUND

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/8117898828

http://www.magicgrowers.com/plantDetail.php?plantId=0000980175

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Heuchera 'Opal'

One of the original Lenz hybrids

Soft hairy pale green leaves

Clean white flowers with the hint of a rose blush.

Use ‘Opal’ in woodland settings, in mass under trees, as an edging or border plant.

© Project SOUND

http://www.magicgrowers.com/plantDetail.php?plantId=0000980499

http://www.sb.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=207&return=l11

Heuchera ‘Santa Ana Cardinal’

Robust, durable plant introduced in 1958.

Large size (about 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide)

Shiny green foliage, similar to Heuchera 'Genevieve' but the gray mottling on the leaves is not as pronounced.

Vibrant red flowers on stems up to 3 feet tall.

Hardy to about 10 degrees F.

© Project SOUND

http://www.gardeningwithnatives.com/pcc_planting.html

http://wildsuburbia.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

Heuchera 'Susanna'

Introduced in 1974 and named for the garden's founder, Susanna Bixby Bryant

Shiny green foliage with large leaves

Profusion of vibrant red flowers on stems up to 3 feet high in spring and summer.

© Project SOUND

http://www.suncrestnurseries.com/calnatives_show.php?id=heucsu

http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/heu_SU.htm

Heuchera ‘Wendy’ Introduced by John Dourley

(RSABG) in 1984. Open rosettes of pale green leaves

and elegant tall sprays bearing rosy-pink flowers.

Not extremely long lived but worth replanting every 3-5 years.

© Project SOUND

http://godetia.com/dirt/closet/heuchera.jpg https://thehumanfootprint.wordpress.com/tag/california-natives/

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Heuchera 'Rosada'

Not a Rancho Santa Ana introduction

Similar to 'Wendy' but has smaller soft pink and white flowers on a shorter stems

Durable old cultivar that is thought to have been in the University of California, Davis Arboretum for over 30 years before introduced to horticulture in 1991.

© Project SOUND

http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/heu_RO.htm

http://www.goldrushnursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/283/index.htm






© Project SOUND

The S. CA Heucheras: look closely

With the exception of H. maxima, all the rest are alpine species. How did that happen?

© Project SOUND


Three main strategies to survive drastic environmental changes

1. Move – to places where conditions are better

2. Evolve – change so as to survive the changed situations

3. Hang on – in places that continue to have the right conditions

© Project SOUND

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The S. CA Heucheras: water-loving plants in a climate that became dry

© Project SOUND

Coastal species (Sect. Holochloa) became truly coastal

The rest ultimately retreated to very specialized alpine places, where water was still available

H. caespitosa has the widest geographic distribution of the S. CA species

© Project SOUND


It also has a wide elevation distribution

© Project SOUND

* Tufted alumroot – Heuchera caespitosa


© Project SOUND

http://herbaria4.herb.berkeley.edu/eflora_display.php?tid=91750

Western Transverse Ranges in Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, and Ventura counties, and in the Outer South Coast Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada foothills, and southern Sierra Nevada

Rocky areas, 4500'-8000', San Gabriel Mts

Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

In so many ways, Tufted alumroot bridges the coastal species to the west and the alpine species of the eastern Transverse and Peninsular Ranges

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AKA: Urn-flowered alumroot

Attribution: Alice Eastwood

One of the rare Heucheras.

Previously lumped with some other S. CA species into H. elegans - but those recently classified as H. caespitosa are different:

H. caespitosa is tetraploid.

There are also some subtle aspects of floral form that distinguish them, all of which require fresh or rehydrated material.

© Project SOUND


Ryan Folk (2011-2015).

© Project SOUND

Tufted alumroot: a smaller, mountain form

Size: < 1 ft tall < 1 ft wide

Growth form: Low-growing evergreen

perennial; diminutive Extends via rhizomes; mat-

forming with age

Foliage: Medium to darker green Leaves rounded, geranium-like Shorter petioles

Roots: not too deep; doesn’t need much soil

The mountain native tend to be very cold-resistant. But many of them (particularly those with wider elevation range) still do well in our lowland gardens

© Project SOUND

Charming flowers Blooms: May-July

Flowers: On typical long flower spikes Hypantheum very elongated Pale pink color overall; petals

are large for genus Extremely showy species –

used often in hybrids Great for hummingbirds

Seeds: Small & brown in dry capsule

http://www.hazmac.biz/041018/041018HeucheraCaespitosa.html

© Project SOUND

Plant of rocky slopes Soils:

Texture: well-drained, rocky best pH: any local

Light: part-shade to shady in western L.A. county.

Water: Winter: needs plenty Summer: twice a month to regular

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; fertilize container plants ½ strength, once a year in spring.

Other: Inorganic mulch Prune off dead leaves, stems Watch for mealy bugs, mildew Plant on berm for better drainage

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© Project SOUND

Small, Tufted alumroot Lovely choice for containers Tuck into crevices between

rocks, in dry-stone walls Shady groundcover on slopes Rock gardens; perennial beds

http://jaysullivan.org/socal/alumre.htm

Heuchera caespitosa ‘Bella Blanca’

Selected and introduced by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

2-4 in. high; 4-8 in. wide; bright green leaves spreading to form a very dense mat.

6-10 inch stems display snow white flowers in late spring.

Long blooming season with additional moisture.

Compact growth and small size make it perfect for container and rock gardens.

© Project SOUND

http://www.suncrestnurseries.com/calnatives_show.php?id=heucebb

AKA Heuchera elegans ‘Bella Blanca’

Lots was happening during the Pleistocene (Ice Age – 1.8 mya to 10,000 ya)

To the North, severe climatic changes had major impacts on fauna and flora.

Climate effects were less severe in California, but still significant:

5 major glacial episodes: Sierras Nevadas The L.A. Basin had periods with at least

twice as much rain as currently (more like the climate of Monterrey – cooler and foggier)

Oak & pine woodlands extended down to lower elevations in western S. CA

The climate was probably pretty good for the S. CA Heucheras

© Project SOUND

http://www.perceptions.couk.com/glacials.html

http://geologycafe.com/erosion/glaciers.html

But conditions varied widely between glacial and inter-glacial periods…and S. CA ultimately became

mostly warm & dry

Except for little islands (N. Channel Islands; ‘sky islands’ in the mountains), the conditions were no longer ideal for Heucheras

© Project SOUND

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The easternmost local Heucheras…

Demonstrate the role of isolated ‘islands’ in the development of species © Project SOUND


Sect. Rhodoheuchera

© Project SOUND








The S. CA mountain species are different enough to warrant a separate Section

Growth characteristics differ from their coastal siblings

Their cold tolerance is phenomenal

And their growth needs require that we treat them somewhat differently than the coastal species

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

*San Gabriel alumroot – Heuchera abramsii

©2005 Charles E. Jones

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© Project SOUND

*San Gabriel alum root – Heuchera abramsii

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?HEAB

Ryan Folk (2011-2015) Ryan Folk (2011-2015)

San Gabriel Mountains (San Antonio Peak area)

Grows among the rocks and crevices high in the coniferous forests, at 9,000 -11,000m above sea level

Good cold tolerance – true alpine species

© Project SOUND

Heuchera abramsii: a tiny alpine species

Size: 6 inches tall to 1 ft wide (spreading)

Growth form: Mat-like herbaceous

perennial – spreads via rhizomes

Foliage all very low; winter deciduous

Foliage: Leaves rounded, deeply-

lobed Geranium-like; few hairs

Roots: relatively shallow

http://navigate.botanicgardens.org/weboi/oecgi2.exe/INET_ECM_DispPl?NAMENUM=48599#images

https://sites.google.com/site/ryanheuchera/heuchera-abramsii

http://tchester.org/temp/110721/heuchera/heuchera_abramsii_1_3_crop_70.jpg

© Project SOUND

Flowers among the prettiest in CA Heucheras

Blooms: summer in its native habitat; usually spring (May-June) at lower elevations

Flowers: Dense flowers on upright flower

stalks (typical of genus) Hypantheum tubular/urn-

shaped and very bright pink. Petals white/pale pink Very showy in bloom – amazing! Attracts hummingbirds

Seeds: many small, dark brown seeds in dry capsule.

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/abramsalumroot.html

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: excellent drainage pH: any local

Light: Shade to part-sun

Water: Winter: plenty of water Summer: don’t over-water; let

dry out between waterings (Water Zone 2)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; ½ strength fertilizer once a year in containers.

Other: gravel mulch; don’t water in hot, moist conditions.

http://www.wrightmanalpines.com/plant/heuchera-abramsii

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Perfect plant for rock & crevice gardens

As a unique specimen plant in containers

In a rock garden

Tucked into crevices in a crevice garden or dry-stone wallhttp://wildgingerfarm.com/plant-list/plants-f---h/heuchera-abramsii.html

Growing Heucheras from seed

Harvest seeds after the seed pods become dry but before the pods have opened. Seeds are tiny – don’t worry about removing all the chaff

Ideal growing medium: 1:1 seed starter mix and vermiculite or perlite. Moisten until damp.

Sprinkle seeds thinly – don’t over-seed.

Water with fine mist

Cover pot(s) with clear plastic bag

Keep moist in bright shade

Be careful to not damage root when repotting

© Project SOUND

http://www.hazmac.biz/041018/041018HeucheraCaespitosa.html

The quest for the perfect dainty hybrid

In the 1980s Dara Emory (Santa Barbara Botanic Garden) used small montane species native to California crossed with Heuchera sanguinea

The results became known as the "Canyon hybrids“

‘Canyon Delight’ and ‘Canyon Pink’ were the first products of Dara Emery’s breeding program to develop small-leafed, compact coral bells with showy flowers. Both are F1 crosses of H. elegans and a H. sanguinea hybrid.

© Project SOUND

https://www.sbbg.org/classes-events/lectures-symposia/dara-emery-2015

Heuchera ‘Canyon Pink’

Low growing with gray mottled lobed leaves.

Flowers are a rose pink with lighter centers and the bloom period occurs in the spring and summer.

Created by Dara Emery; introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in 1985. This was the first of the gardens Heuchera introductions and remains as one of the best.

Heuchera sanguinea X H. rubescens.

Several of the more recent Quartet Series such as H. 'Canyon Melody', H. 'Canyon Duet' and H. 'Canyon Chimes' have 'Canyon Pink' as one parent.

© Project SOUND

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=834

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‘Canyon Delight’ Early Dara Emory hybrid

Small (4-6"H x 6-12"W) with a 1" x 1" green leaf

Deep pink flower.

Grows and performs best in drier shady conditions. It will tolerant regular water in well drained soil.

© Project SOUND

http://www.faroutflora.com/tag/heuchera-canyon-delight/

https://www.sbbg.org/explore-garden/garden-sections-displays/arroyohttp://www.baynatives.com/plants/Heuchera/

The ‘Canyon Series’ Heucheras

Dara Emery made many crosses with H. sanguinea and our small mountain natives. The best were introduced by Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Dozens of beautiful hybrids which combined the dense, small hummocks of the natives with flower colors ranging from white to deep, rosy pink.

All have smaller flowers than H. sanguinea, but usually many more

Do well in gardens given shade and regular water

© Project SOUND

‘Canyon Chimes’ – a later hybrid

https://www.sbbg.org/learn-discover/gardening-with-natives/sbbg-cultivars

Heuchera ‘Canyon Quartet Series’ Dara Emery hybrids

created in 1993; released by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden after Mr. Emery's death.

Patents have been applied for by the Garden on all of these cultivars.

© Project SOUND

Canyon Duet' - bicolored flowers 'Canyon Bell' - Shorter red flowers in middle of wheelbarrow 'Canyon Chimes' Tall red flowers in front of the wheelbarrow 'Canyon Melody' - Smaller plant pink with exerted white

Heuchera x abramsii ‘Canyon Duet’ (PP13,280) Dara Emery hybrid between ‘Canyon

Delight’ and H. abramsii

Released in 2001 as part of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden ‘Quartet’ Series.

Mat-like evergreen perennial 5 inches tall by 1 foot or more wide with small, 1 ¼-inch wide leaves.

Bi-colored flowers of dark pink and white rise above the foliage on 12- 18 inch tall stems in mid spring.

Shade to part-sun/regular summer water

Tolerant of a wide variety of soil types. Hardy to around 10° F.

© Project SOUND

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9157.75

http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/heuchera-canyon-duet-canyon-series-pp13280-images-large-134192/

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The easternmost local Heucheras…

Demonstrate the concept of islands and speciation© Project SOUND


*Parish (Mill Creek) alumroot - Heuchera parishii

© Project SOUND

©2010 Gary A. Monroe

Native to San Bernardino Mountains; available from Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

© Project SOUND

* Shaggy haired alumroot – Heuchera hirsutissima

Peninsular Ranges (San Jacinto Mountains, n Santa Rosa Mtns)

Upper montane Red Fir coniferous forest, subalpine forest, 7000'-11,000'

© Project SOUND

* Shaggy haired alumroot – Heuchera hirsutissima

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?HEHI4

http://jaysullivan.org/socal/alumrpa2.htm

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© Project SOUND

Shaggy-haired alumroot: small, alpine

Size: < 1 ft tall 1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Mat-forming herbaceous

perennial Low-growing; flat rather than

mounded Spreads via rhizomes

Foliage: Leaves rounded, lobed, grape-like

in appearance

Roots: Relatively short.

© Project SOUND

Pastel pink flowers

Blooms: summer in the mountains; May-June at lower elevations

Flowers: Flower spikes more slender,

open than some species Floral tube flaring, pale pink;

petals even paler, and whole becoming quite pale with age

Very glandular-hairy Attracts hummingbirds

Seeds: small, dark brown in dry capsule

© Project SOUND

Shade & drainage Soils: Texture: well-drained, rocky,

but tolerates clay pH: slightly acidic (5.0-7.0)

Light: Part-shade to shade; no hot

afternoon sun; heat tolerant

Water: Winter: good; supplement Summer: occasional to

regular; Zone 2-3 probably optimal to keep foliage green.

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; ½ strength for pot-grown plants.

Other: prune out dead leaves, stems; watch for mealybugs, mildew.

© Project SOUND

Small Heucheras Borders; shady, narrow places Rock/crevice gardens In dry-stone walls and other

places with crevices In containers

©2009 Thomas Stoughton

©2002 Charles E. Jones ©2003 Charles E. Jones

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Heuchera hirsutissima 'Santa Rosa'

Originally collected in the mountains near Palm Springs, CA (~ 8,700 ft.).

Low mounds of scalloped leaves

Showy 1 ft. spikes of reddish pink (or white?) flowers in late spring.

Best in part sun; very well drained soils with occasional to moderate water

Cold hardy to -20 degrees F.

Suncrest Growers propagates – Try Deep Roots or International Nurseries (they could probably order)

© Project SOUND

Heucheras as medicinal plants

Roots most common part used Primarily used as an astringent

Control bleeding – cuts, abrasions Skin wash (for sores/rashes and as a skin

toner) Eye wash Cramps; baby’s colic (also for animals) Mouth wash for sore throat, mouth sores Horses’ saddle sores

Other (general) uses: General tonic Fever ‘heart troubles’ ‘liver troubles’ Venereal diseases

© Project SOUND

https://waysofthewhorl.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/natural-dyeing-take-one-alum-mordanting-with-heuchera-plants/

H. rubescens: another unique Heuchera

© Project SOUND


© Project SOUND

*Pink alumroot – Heuchera rubescens

©2002 Larry Blakely

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Native to the west: SE OR south to CA; east to southern ID, CO then south to NV, UT, AZ, NM, N. Mexico

In S. CA, grows in Peninsular Ranges, Riverside/San Diego Counties.

Dry, rocky places; 6000-11,000 ft.

© Project SOUND

*Pink alumroot – Heuchera rubescens

Gary A. Monroe, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_cpn.pl?HERU

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250065957

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/California_Coast_Ranges.png

Sect. Rhodoheuchera

© Project SOUND








Mountains: U.S. West and Mexico

Sierra California (Baja, Mexico) and the Peninsular Ranges are contiguous

These and the Transverse Ranges are a result of plate tectonics

© Project SOUNDhttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Geographic_Map_of_Mexico.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Usa_edcp_relief_location_map.png

© Project SOUND

Pink alumroot: tidy, mat-like perennial

Size: ~6 inches tall 1-2 ft wide

Growth form: Small mound, becoming mat-like Very low-growing, but some

variability in size, leaf characteristics

Foliage: Small, medium to dark green,

rounded leaves Great variability in hairiness

Roots: relatively short roots

Sheri Hagwood, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College.

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© Project SOUND

Pink & white flowers

Blooms: April to Sept. along it’s wide range. Likely April-June at lower elevations. L.A. County.

Flowers: On slender, 1 ft. stalks Small flowers are pink/white;

not as showy as some, but pleasant

Flowers bell-shaped, with exserted stamens; hairy

Great for hummingbirds

Seeds: small dark seeds in dry capsule

Vegetative reproduction: via short rhizomes


©2002 Larry Blakely

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: very well-drained pH: slightly acidic (5.0-7.0)

Light: shade to part-shade; no hot afternoon sun

Water: Winter: needs plenty Summer: best with regular

water; Water Zone 2-3 to 3.

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils, but OK with regular garden practices. ½ strength yearly in containers.

Other: Inorganic mulch Consider planting on slope or

near rocks


Sheri Hagwood, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

Small perennial As an attractive pot plant, along

or mixed pot In rock gardens, crevices Around a shady birdbath Small, evergreen groundcover Borders for planted beds; along

pathways©2009 Gary A. Monroe

©2002 Larry Blakely ©2011 Barry Breckling

Heuchera rubescens 'Yosemite'

Natural cultivar

Clusters of small white flowers atop 1 foot tall stalks appear in spring.

Leaves are roundish and lobed.

Wonderful perennial for a woodland garden or under oaks.

Part-shade to shade; occasional water

Available at Theodore Payne & through El Nativo Growers

© Project SOUND

http://www.easttennesseewildflowers.com/gallery/index.php/California-2012---Yosemite-Mammoth-Lakes

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Resources on gardening with Heucheras

© Project SOUND

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jQvNC6GgL._SX336_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

http://www.finegardening.com/book-giveaway-container-gardening-all-seasons

Other Heuchera Resources

Heuchera Research site – Ryan Folk https://sites.google.com/site/ryanheuchera/home

Phylogenetic relationships and character evolution in Heuchera (Saxifragaceae) on the basis of multiple nuclear loci - Ryan A. Folk and John V. Freudensteinhttp://www.amjbot.org/content/101/9/1532.full

© Project SOUND

2016 – ‘Green Oases in Dry Gardens’

© Project SOUNDhttp://www.bayareaecogardens.org/GWImage.php?image=398&source=gg&index=11&page=2

Heucheras 2015 - notes

Education

Transcript of Heucheras 2015 - notes