HEUCHERA

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1933, Page 17

HEUCHERA

Heuehera is a; low-growing perennial, helpful as a bowler edging, the flowers being "eminently; suitable for cutting. Unfortunately it is not always grown to tho._ best advantage and, being neglected, the plants die out. When given good growing conditions it will flower for six months—from July to December. Plants are most readily increased by division of the roots but unless the plants are in. a healthy condition the results may be disappointing. If the plants are allowed to remain in one "position for too long a period, they become worn out, and lacking vitality the divisions are unable to make satisfactory roots. Heuelieras may be raised from seed which should be sown now. The seed germinates readily and the young plants are not hard to bring along. The colours '■ are liable to vary somewhat amongst the seedlings and any specially good varieties should be selected and used for propagating purposes.

Seed may be sown either in the open ground or in boxes. When the seedlings are large enough to handle easily they may be pricked out into a nursery bed or planted ont into their permanent quarters.-; The commonly held idea that heucheras" require to be, grown, in tho shade is somewhat a fallacy, the truth

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being that these plants enjoy and thrive in well-drained soil in an open position. If they'are to flower over a long period they must have ample light and sunshine. A good rich light loam suits them best,, but they, flower and grow freely even in a heavy soil provided the drainage is adequate. In the spring a mulching of well-drained cow manure will help the plants, and at intervals of two or. three weeks an application of liquid manure or artificial fertiliser will help the plants to continue to produce blooms. Even omitting any or all of these the plants will continue to bloom for mouths provided the spent flower spikes are removed and the surface soil is stirred with a fork occasionally. Plants should bo divided every three years, good strong healthy growths being used for propagating new plants.