Everybody loves friends, so do Coral Bells! Check out these Coral Bell companion plants that would benefit your plant in more ways than one!
If you are searching for Plants to Grow with Heuchera – we have plenty for you! Along with boosting the visual appeal, they also protect the plant from pests! So why settle for one when you can get more?
Coral Bells Companion Plants
These plants thrive in USDA Zones 4 to 8 and prefer moderate partial shade, especially in hot climates. If you live in a cooler region, you can expose them to full sun but do protect them from harsh afternoon exposure.
1. Japanese Painted Fern
Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicum
This plant is a great pick for coral bells as they both thrive in similar zones and growing environments. The fronds of the Japanese Painted fern are unusually colored, drawing attention to it and, therefore, coral bells as well. These plants can provide a subtle layer of protection from the harsh sun rays, especially during the hottest part of the day. So it brings more eyes to the coral bells plant along with shading it at times of need.
2. Impatiens
Botanical Name: Impatiens spp.
Impatiens are one of the best blooms for places where the sun doesn’t shine much! They have vivid blooms (depending on the variety) that come in many colors and hence contrast well with the foliage of coral bells. Moreover, both plants share the same growing conditions and requirements, so growing them together will not be an extra task.
3. Azalea
Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp.
Just like how carpooling can save time and money, growing Azalea along with coral bells will save space and effort! Azalea plant loves shady conditions just like coral bells. These plants can compensate for one another in terms of wow factor as Azalea has clusters of gorgeous flowers that lack coral bells while the latter has eye-catching colorful foliage! But beware, this companion plant has a toxic secret, as it contains Andromedotoxin, Grayantoxin which, when ingested, can lead to cardiac arrest and coma!
4. Siberian Bugloss
Botanical Name: Brunnera macrophylla
An enhanced color palate will always be more attractive! Both the Siberian Bugloss and the Coral Bell are known for their peculiarly colored leaves. The silver leaves with green veins of this plant add a contrasting appeal to Coral Bells and are, hence, an artist’s dream combo. It will be a breeze to grow them together as well because both prefer similar growing conditions.
5. Pulmonaria
Botanical Name: Pulmonaria spp
A dash of variegated green leaves of the lungwort and the purple, blue, maroon or greenish leaves of coral bells will be a sight to behold. The former is popular for its ruffled foliage and clusters of tiny, showy, colorful blooms. Both plants thrive in shady areas, organically rich, acidic-neutral soil.
6. Astilbe
Botanical Name: Astilbe spp.
Astilbes have fluffy plumes growing erect on spikes. These flowers stick out, giving a vertical aura and, therefore, bringing more attention to the spread-out leaves of coral bells. Their preference for moist soil makes them a perfect partner for heucheras, especially in areas that get dappled sun.
7. Bleeding Heart
Botanical Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis
The heart-shaped blooms of the Bleeding Heart will surely steal your heart! But this effect will only intensify if they are grown alongside Coral Bells. Both of them perfectly compliment each other due to contrasting colors and physical form. Not only do they look good together, they grow well together as both plants prefer morning sun and prefer well-draining soil.
8. Hellebores
Botanical Name: Helleborus spp.
Helleborus is a genus of multiple clumping flowering perennials and they make excellent companion plants to Coral Bells. Native to Europe, Morocco, and temperate Asia, these plants also love shaded environments and their large number of medium-sized drooping flowers will make your garden a botanical paradise when paired with the foliage of coral bells!
9. Hosta
Botanical Name: Hosta spp.
Diversity is the spice of life, even in the garden! Hostas have broad, thick, corrugated foliage, while Coral bells have colorful foliage that stays charming even in the harshest of conditions. Both these plants are like bread and butter, completely different but perfect together! However, the growing needs are similar.
10. Japanese Forest Grass
Botanical Name: Hakonechloa macra
You can’t forget the Japanese Forest Grass when you talk about Coral Bell companion plants. Its golden-green hues pair beautifully with Coral Bells, the slender foliage makes the broad leaves of heucheras stand out. Just like the others on this list, they too share the same sunlight, water, and soil needs.
11. Artemisia
Botanical Name: Artemisia spp.
This member of the aster family is one of the few plants on this list that loves full sun. Its silver foliage enhances the beauty of the coral bell leaves. Artemisia also possesses attractive flowers! But don’t eat it, as it is very toxic to humans.
12. Bugleweed
Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans
Thanks to its ground-covering growth habit, it can be a great partner for heucheras. This member of the mint family is an evergreen perennial that is known for its clusters of tiny violet flowers that grow on erect spikes. They can adapt to all kinds of sunlight and soil; however, they prefer slightly acidic soil. These adaptive traits allow them to flourish easily alongside coral bells
13. Daylilies
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis spp
Daylilies are clump-forming, erect, herbaceous perennials that are perfect for beginner gardeners due to their low-maintenance, pest-resistant. The flowers come in gold, orange, pink, purple, red, and white, and therefore, these colors match well with the foliage of coral bells.
14. Geranium
Botanical Name: Pelargonium spp.
Offering long-lasting blooms, these plants add a color and character to coral bells – they also don’t compete with each other for nutrients, too.
15. Iris
Botanical Name: Iris spp.
With long-lasting, tall, vibrant blooms, the Iris plant serves as a stunning backdrop for Coral Bells. Just have a look at the picture above, and you’ll imagine what a sight it would be when the flowers of this plant and the foliage of coral bells combine. Although the sunlight requirement is different, the iris can adapt to grow well with coral bells.
16. Lady’s Mantle
Botanical Name: Alchemilla mollis
This clump-forming plant has light green foliage, which is similar to the shape of coral bells! It is perfect to confuse onlookers by combining multicolor are green shades of foliage together! Just make sure to regularly prune it to keep the plant under control, as it can be quite weedy.
17. Creeping Jenny
Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia
Last on the list is the herbaceous, semi-evergreen perennial in the Primulaceae family, known as the creeping Jenny! It is a low-growing plant that will act as a bright yellow canvas to display the deep-colored foliage of coral bells. Both plants love moist soil conditions and partial bright light!
