Lime Marmalade Coral Bells

Lime Marmalade Coral Bells (Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade') is a low, spreading perennial groundcover for shade, about 25cm high and 60cm wide, with ruffled lime-green leaves that shift from golden to deeper green with the light and the temperature. Tiny white bell flowers rise to 40cm in mid-spring and summer. It earns its place in the dim corners where little else gives colour.

Why you'll love it

• Brightens shade. Lime-green leaves glow in dappled, part and even deep shade, where most colourful plants fade.
• Spreads low and wide. At 25cm by 60cm it covers ground as a low mat, which makes it a practical groundcover for shaded beds.
• Colour that moves. The foliage looks bright golden in some months and places and deeper green in others, so the planting changes through the year.
• Cold and humid tolerant. It is totally frost hardy and, once established, humidity tolerant, so it suits cold southern gardens and humid northern ones.
• Recognised for performance. It holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, a mark of reliable garden value.

Where it works best

Shady groundcover. Plant 50cm apart for a continuous low mat. At 60cm wide the plants join up at that spacing and cover the soil.

Around shrubs and trees. Plant it beneath taller shrubs and trees, where the lime foliage lights up the base of the planting.

Balconies and courtyards. It copes with the low light on a city balcony or in a shaded courtyard, in a pot or a raised bed.

Growing Lime Marmalade Coral Bells in Australia

Position and climate. Dappled or part shade through to full shade. In sun, and in warmer gardens through summer, it needs more watering to keep the leaves lush. It is totally frost hardy and humidity tolerant once established, so it suits cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and humid subtropical gardens.

Soil. Moist, well-drained soil. Plant heucheras slightly proud of the soil, so that the centre of the plant sits above soil level and stays dry.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and mulch again each spring. Water more in sun and in warm summers.

Pruning. Cut back any dead or untidy foliage in spring to make room for new growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Lime Marmalade Coral Bells as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to cover a large shaded bed, while the 140mm pots give a fuller plant for a balcony or a quick result. Plants settle in within a few weeks of planting.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our heuchera and coral bells
• The best groundcovers for shade
• Plants for full shade
• Plants for balconies

Common questions

Will it grow in full shade?

Yes. Lime Marmalade grows in dappled shade, part shade and deep shade, which suits city balconies and the dark side of a house.

Does the leaf colour change?

Yes. The lime foliage looks bright golden in some months and locations, and deeper green in others, changing with light and temperature.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 50cm apart. The plants reach about 60cm wide, so they join into a groundcover mat that closes up quickly.