Heuchera 'Black Forest Cake'

This one takes the cake with deliciously dark, chocolate foliage and cherry red floral bells. Dark foliage varieties such as this can cope well in sunnier situations.

Heuchera are stand out plants in pots, hanging baskets, or mass planted in beds, they are simple to grow and care for, quickly growing and evergreen in all but the coldest areas.

Heuchera and Heucherella are stand out plants in pots, hanging baskets, or mass planted in beds, they are simple to care for, quick growing and evergreen in all but the coldest areas.

Not just pretty faces, Heuchera and Heucherella have excellent vigour and grow to a handsome, mounding form. The beautifully lustrous, ruffled leaves add a gorgeous texture wherever they are grown. Upright stems of white to pink bells are held high above the leaves in summer.

Plant in a filtered light position, out of the hot afternoon sun. They can take more sun in cooler zones and the darker leaf varieties will colour better with good light and cope with more sun.

A moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soil is ideal, they don’t like it boggy, especially in winter. Water to establish, it takes around four to six weeks for the roots to penetrate the surrounding soil and gain access to its moisture and nutrients, until then, like all new plants, they will need extra care.

Remove spent flowers and foliage to tidy as required. A light prune in early spring, before the new growth is ideal. They aren’t heavy feeders so if you have a good soil you won’t need to worry about fertiliser, if your soil is poor a light sprinkle in spring is all you’ll need.

In pots/baskets, ensure you container choice has sufficient drainage holes. Use a good quality potting mix and remember to water, especially over summer, where on hot days you may need to care for them daily.