Heuchera 'Obsidian'PBR
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
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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 ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.