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Alum Root 'Southern Comfort'

Heuchera (HEW-ker-a)

Family: Saxifragaceae Unknown Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Heuchera 'Southern Comfort' is a hybrid herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette, a cross between Heuchera 'Sparkling Beauty' and Heuchera villosa, and is a member of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). This plant has a clump-forming and mounding habit, with leaves that vary in color from cinnamon peach to burnished copper to amber as they mature. It grows 10 to 14 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Wiry, tall, slender stems, arising above the foliage, support the panicles of small creamy-white bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Its roots are fine, fibrous, and branching. Terra Nova Nurseries introduced this plant in 2008 to 2009, and its patent number is PP20364. It was selected for its leaf color, leaf size, and vigorous growth. Best planted in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial sun to full shade. Leaf scorch can occur with hot afternoon sun. Faded, damaged leaves can be removed in early spring, and they will be replaced with fresh new leaves. 'Southern Comfort' has striking leaves and thrives in hot, humid environments where other heucheras struggle. It is evergreen in mild winter climates. It is winter hardy in zones 4 through 9. It is drought-tolerant and often not bothered by deer or rabbits. Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Since this is a cultivated variety, it may be subject to restrictions or be prohibited from propagation. It works well mass-planted, in containers as a filler, as a border edging, or as a groundcover. It is suitable for shade, children’s, or rock gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases. Monitor for weevils and foliar nematodes. May be susceptible to powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot. Full sun can scorch the leaves. More information on Heuchera .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 55 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft) Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Brunnera macrophylla 'Alexander' s Great' Campanula carpatica Geranium 'Dilys'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 2 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Orange
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Lobed; Undulate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, arranged in a rosette, and ovate to orbicular, with 5 rounded lobes and crenate and slightly wavy margins. The leaves are hairy on both sides. Each leaf may grow up to 9 inches long and 6 inches wide. New leaves are cinnamon peach-colored, mature to deep amber, and have good color retention. The petiole can grow up to 10 inches long and is grayish-orange.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower form
Panicle; Spike
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Airy panicle-like display of small, creamy-white flowers. Each bloom measures 0.2 inches long and 0.1 inch wide. The blooms last for approximately 2 weeks.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Gray/Silver
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a two-beaked, oval capsule. It ranges in color from tan to grayish-yellow to grayish-brown. It measures 0.2 inches long and 0.1 inch wide. The seeds are linear, 0.07 inches long, and black.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Wirey flower stem.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Play value
Colorful; Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Small Space; Woodland
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#showy leaves #low maintenance #cottage garden #border planting #herbaceous perennial #rock garden #partial shade tolerant #container plant #woodland
Problems & Resistance
Disease problems
Phytophthora Blight and Root Rot on Annuals and Herbaceous Perennials
Resistant to
Deer; Drought; Heat; Humidity; Rabbits

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.