HBUCHIRA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 63, 14 March 1940, Page 21

HBUCHIRA

These dwarf border perennials, although not by any means new, many species being old inhabitants' of our gardens,...have, of recent years, won their, way rapidly to the front rank.

Hybridists have been busy with them, ami the introduction of new forms has given the whole genus a great impetus, which has brought the newer varieties into striking prominence.

The popularity oi the heuchiras is well earned, says a writer in an Aus-tralian-paper, as the plants are ideal from every point of view, the tall, elegant flower spikes, in contrast with the compact tufts of foliage, proving an especially happy combination. Not only are the plants attractive when in bloom, but high praise must be accorded to the auttimn and winter effects of the foliage, for many then take on lovely red and reddish-brown hues that persist until the new leaves push out in the spring and cover them.

A very important point in the cultivation of air species and varieties is frequent division. The plants throw out offsets freely, but as they do so the stems are pushing higher and higher out of the ground, leaving a longer and longer length of bare stem so that the only way is to break them up into single crowns and replant to the lowest leaves. If this is done in1 the autumn or early spring the plants very soon push out an abundance of roots and will flower splendidly in the first year i

In addition to their use in the rock garden and border they are ideal plants for edging, especially alongside grass paths, where the red flowers of Heuchira sanguinia, especially, shows to perfection. When used in this way, however, as well as in the border, great care must be taken to see that the soil is well drained, as the plants abhor wet feet. In addition to their use in the garden the light and graceful spikes of flowers are really beautiful when ciit and used as table decoration, either by themselves or in conjunction with other flowers in mixed bowls. i

A few plants may even be potted up and grown in the cool green house, and by doing this an early and especially valuable display may be secured, for not only will the plants flower profusely for several weeks, but they can be planted out in the open ground when flowering is over and can be forced again under glass the following year.