Companion Plants For Coral Bells

Choosing the right neighbors for your plants makes your whole garden better. Let’s look at the best companion plants for coral bells to create beautiful and healthy beds.

Coral bells, known botanically as Heuchera, are a favorite for their stunning foliage. Their leaves come in shades from lime green to deep purple, offering color all season. They thrive in part shade but many varieties handle sun, too. The key to great pairings is matching their needs and contrasting their form.

This list focuses on plants that share similar growing conditions. Most coral bells prefer morning sun and afternoon shade with moist, well-drained soil. These companions will help your Heuchera look its best while keeping it healthy.

Classic Shade Garden Partners

For those partly shaded spots, these combinations are time-tested winners. They create a lush, layered look that is easy to maintain.

Hostas: Their broad leaves provide a perfect textural contrast to the more delicate, ruffled coral bells. Choose hostas with lighter leaves to make dark Heuchera varieties pop.
Ferns: The fine, feathery fronds of ferns like Japanese painted or autumn fern play beautifully against Heuchera’s rounded foliage. They both love the same cool, moist soil conditions.
Astilbe: The fluffy, vertical plumes of astilbe add a needed height element. Their bloom time extends interest, and they share coral bells’ need for consistent moisture.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra): The arching stems and heart-shaped flowers of this classic perennial create a romantic feel. Its spring display pairs nicely with coral bells’ early foliage.

Sun-Loving Companions

For the many sun-tolerant coral bells varieties, like ‘Caramel’ or ‘Southern Comfort,’ you have more options. These plants can handle more light but still appreciate good soil.

Ornamental Grasses: The flowing, linear forms of grasses like blue fescue or fountain grass offer amazing movement and contrast. They help highlight the mounding shape of your Heuchera.
Sedum (Stonecrop): Sedums are drought-tolerant once established, making them good partners for Heuchera in well-drained, sunny spots. Their succulent leaves and fall blooms are a great combo.
Salvia: The spiky blue or purple flowers of perennial salvia look stunning next to coral bells with amber or peach-colored leaves. They attract pollinators, which benefits the whole garden.
Catmint (Nepeta): This hardy perennial spills over edges softly. Its gray-green foliage and lavender flowers complement almost every Heuchera color, especially purple-leaved ones.

For Foliage Contrast and Color Echoing

Sometimes, the best pairings are about leaf play. Think about color, shape, and texture to make your design sing.

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa): Its cascading, golden blades make it a superstar partner. It lights up shady corners and makes burgundy coral bells glow.
Coral Bells with Other Coral Bells: Don’t overlook mixing different Heuchera varieties together. A blend of ‘Lime Marmalade,’ ‘Midnight Rose,’ and ‘Peach Flambe’ creates a stunning tapestry on its own.
Heucherella and Tiarella: These close relatives have similiar care needs and offer even more leaf shapes. They combine seamlessly for a sophisticated foliage display.

Bulbs and Seasonal Accents

These plants add punches of color at specific times. They grow through or around the coral bells, maximizing your space.

Spring Bulbs: Daffodils, tulips, and crocus provide early spring color before coral bells fully leaf out. The dying bulb foliage is then hidden by the expanding Heuchera leaves.
Cyclamen: Hardy cyclamen offer unique fall and winter flowers and beautiful marbled leaves. They naturalize happily around the base of coral bells in dappled shade.
Annual Impatiens or Begonias: For a guaranteed summer color boost, tuck these shade-loving annuals around your coral bells. They fill in gaps quickly and easily.

Plants to Avoid Near Coral Bells

Not all plants make good neighbors. Avoid pairing coral bells with plants that have very different needs or aggressive growth habits.

Water-Hogging Plants: Avoid plants that need constantly wet soil, like some irises. This can lead to crown rot in your Heuchera, which prefer well-drained conditions.
Large, Spreading Shrubs: Big shrubs with dense root systems, like some lilacs, will compete to aggressively for water and nutrients. Coral bells can’t compete.
Very Tall, Dense Plants: Plants that grow very thick and tall can cast to much shade or crowd out the coral bells completely. Give them their space to breathe.

Design Tips for Planting Your Combinations

Knowing what to plant is half the battle. Here’s how to put them together effectively in your garden beds.

Consider the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” Method

This container concept works in gardens too. Use it to create dynamic groupings.

Thriller: This is your focal point. A large hosta or a tall grass can serve as the thriller.
Filler: Coral bells are perfect fillers. Their mounding shape fills the middle layer of the design.
Spiller: Add a plant that trails over the edge, like creeping Jenny or vinca minor, to soften the front of the border.

Play with Color Theory

Use the color wheel to your advantage. Opposite colors (complementary) create vibrancy.

Pair a lime green Heuchera with a plant featuring deep red or purple flowers.
Silver or amber-colored coral bells look fantastic with blue flowers or foliage.
For a calming monochromatic scheme, mix a purple coral bells with lavender flowers and gray leaves.

Layer by Height and Bloom Time

Place taller plants behind or in the center, with coral bells in the middle, and low growers at the front. Stagger plants so something is always looking good, from spring bulbs to fall sedum blooms.

Care Tips for Your Companion Plantings

A successful pairing depends on proper care for the whole group. Follow these steps to keep everyone healthy.

Soil Preparation is Key: Amend your planting area with compost before you start. Good drainage is critical for coral bells and many of its companions.
Mind the Watering: Water new plantings regularly. Once established, the grouping will create a living mulch that conserves moisture, but you should still water during dry spells.
Feed Gently: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas that promote weak, leafy growth at the expense of color and hardiness.
Mulch Annually: A thin layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the shallow roots of coral bells from temperature extremes.
Divide When Needed: Every 3-4 years, coral bells can get woody centers. Divide them in early fall or spring and replant the healthiest pieces with their companions.

FAQ: Companion Plants for Coral Bells

What are the best full sun companion plants for coral bells?

For sunny spots, choose drought-tolerant partners like sedum, salvia, catmint, and ornamental grasses. Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent crown rot.

Can I plant coral bells with vegetables?

Yes, they can be useful in edible gardens. Their flowers attract pollinators, and they make a nice border for raised beds. Pair them with leafy greens that appreciate some afternoon shade.

Do coral bells spread?

They form tidy clumps that slowly get wider, but they are not invasive runners. They won’t overtake their companions, making them very well-behaved in mixed plantings.

What should I not plant with Heuchera?

Avoid plants that need very wet soil or are extremely aggressive spreaders. Also, large trees with surface roots will create to much competition for water.

How do I choose companion plants for my specific coral bells color?

Look at the leaf color. Use contrasting colors for drama (purple with yellow) or analogous colors for harmony (reds with oranges). Don’t forget to consider texture and form as well.

Finding the perfect companion plants for coral bells is a rewarding part of garden design. By focusing on shared growing needs and visual contrast, you can create pairings that are both beautiful and resilient. Start with one or two combinations from this list and see how they change the look of your garden space. With thoughtful placement, your coral bells and their friends will thrive together for many seasons.