Heuchera richardsonii

Alumroot Description:

Heuchera richardsonii, commonly known as Richardson's alumroot, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the Saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). It is native to North America and can be found growing in a variety of habitats, including open woods, rocky slopes, and meadows.

The plant typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and has a mounded habit with evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves that form a basal rosette. The leaves are typically lobed and are often tinged with red or bronze. In late spring to early summer, it produces spikes of delicate, pink flowers on tall stalks. The flowers have five petals and are borne in small clusters at the top of the stems.

Heuchera richardsonii is a hardy and adaptable plant that prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, although it can also tolerate full sun or deep shade. It is commonly used in shade gardens, woodland gardens, and other naturalistic landscapes. In addition to its ornamental value, it is also valued for its ecological importance, as it provides habitat and food for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. It is also commonly used as a groundcover or edging plant. The plant is drought-tolerant once established and does not require much maintenance.

Native Range:

Alumroot is found across the upper central United States. It is most common in the Midwestern region comprised of Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois.

Standard Plant Information:

Plant Height: 1' - 2'

Bloom Time: May - July

Preferred Habitat: Does well in part shade to full sun. Often found in fields, prairies, and woodland edges.

Sowing:

For most homeowners, the best option is to scatter seed on the ground by hand broadcasting at a minimum of 16-64 pls ounces per acre. For even coverage, we recommend that you broadcast seed in perpendicular rows across the site to ensure even coverage.

You’ll want to broadcast any grass seed first, which will get raked into the soil lightly. Next, it is ideal to mulch the area lightly with either a clean (no seed) straw or preferably with our native Little Bluestem straw, sold at our retail garden centers. After a light mulching is complete, now it’s time to broadcast your native wildflower seeds, which should not be raked into the soil. A good rain or watering is sufficient to cover the seed.

Planting:

Simply dig a hole in the soil slightly larger than the plant’s roots. Ensure that the soil line of the plant is maintained during the transfer (i.e. the plant should be at the same level with the ground as it was in the pot). Pack any loose dirt back around the plant and make sure you water it well the same day to ensure it has the best chance of survival.