Heuchera 'Amethyst Mist' is a stunning perennial featuring smoky purple foliage that adds depth and elegance to shaded gardens. Rounded ruffled leaves form a dense mound while airy spikes of soft lavender flowers rise in late spring, attracting pollinators and adding subtle seasonal contrast. This cultivar thrives in partial shade and provides year round interest with minimal maintenance in borders, woodland gardens, and containers.
Height & Spread: 8 - 12 in x 14 - 20 in
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Partial shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained, humus rich soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers evenly moist soil
Deer Resistance: Generally avoided due to slightly bitter foliage
Native Status
Heuchera 'Amethyst Mist' is a hybrid derived from North American coral bells species. While not naturally occurring in the wild, it retains the resilience and ornamental appeal of its native parent species.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Native bumblebees and honeybees frequently visit the lavender flowers, enhancing pollination in shaded areas.
Hoverflies
- Hoverflies are attracted to blooms and act as natural pest controllers while adding movement and visual interest.
Butterflies
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Painted Ladies feed on nectar from the delicate flowers, adding vibrant activity to garden beds.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow healthy leaf spread and optimal airflow.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for shaded borders, woodland gardens, container plantings, or mass plantings where elegant foliage color is desired.
Companion Plants
- Brunnera macrophylla (Jack Frost) - Silvery veined leaves brighten shade gardens and harmonize with purple Heuchera tones.
- Tiarella cordifolia (Running Foamflower) - Low groundcover beneath Heuchera enhances layered texture and seasonal interest.
- Hosta 'Patriot' - Variegated foliage contrasts beautifully with smoky purple leaves for layered visual interest.
- Astilbe (Fanal) - Feathery flower plumes add vertical texture and complement rounded foliage.
- Ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora) - Bronze tinged fronds offer texture contrast in shaded beds.