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Herbaceous Perennial

Heuchera 'Obsidian'PBR
  • RHS AGM

alum root 'Obsidian'

A compact, mound-forming perennial, spreading to 40cm, with distinctive lobed, glossy leaves, reddish-black in spring, darkening to near-black as they mature. Racemes of small creamy flowers are borne above the leaves in summer on dark reddish stems, usually 25-40cm, sometimes taller

Synonyms
Heuchera micrantha 'Obsidian'
Heuchera 'Obsidian' (Rainbow Series)
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Black Red
Summer Red Cream Black Red
Autumn Black Red
Winter Black Red
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Heuchera are more or less evergreen, clump-forming perennials with attractive, rounded, shallowly palmately lobed leaves and racemes or panicles of small, tubular flowers, often with colourful calyces

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. If the soil is moist, a shadier position may be tolerated. To prevent the rhizomes rising to the surface, mulch annually and divide every few years

Propagation

Propagate by division; this genus need to be divided regularly. Lift the plant once in spring growth, taking small vigorous sections from around the edge. Each section should have good roots and 2-3 shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Banks and slopes
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Remove any dead leaves and deadhead

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms and vine weevil

Diseases

May be affected by heuchera rust

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