alum root ‘Autumn Bride’
This not-so-common heuchera has often been a contender for my ‘special plant’ slot. I rather dislike that expression ‘all year round interest’ and it’s an unworthy first description of ‘Autumn Bride’ but this great favourite of mine does make a huge contribution to our
I have also chosen it today because I would like to say thank you to Graham Gough, owner of the marvellous Marchants Hardy Plants where I first set eyes on ‘Autumn Bride’ and which sadly is closing at the end of October.
Whenever I visited Graham’s nursery in East Sussex, I never missed the opportunity to explore his
There is nothing flimsy about this heuchera, it makes a large clump of bold, mid green foliage, (more evergreen than not and sometimes with autumn tints) and from summer onwards it bears numerous, tall, very showy spires of ivory white flowers. These last well into autumn but don’t be over zealous and cut them off early because the seedheads persist through the winter and look beautiful under frost. It grows very happily in part shade and is tolerant of most growing conditions.
It will only need a little tidying up in early spring. This is a slowly spreading plant and once your clump has increased a little you will be able to pull off pieces to give to your friends!
NB Louise has published a beautifully produced book of her plant profiles – A Plant for Each Week of the Year. It costs £9.99 and is for sale in our online shop here.
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