Heuchera sanguinea
Alum Root
a perennial evergreen member of the Heuchera genus in the family Saxifragaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Genus
- Heuchera
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root can be used as an alum substitute, this is a mordant used in fixing dyes[3]. The root is rich in tannin, is this the active ingredient that acts as a mordant?[3]. A good ground cover plant for the woodland garden[5]. Plants should be spaced about 35cm apart each way[6].
- Product or use
- Mordant
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America - S. Arizona, N. Mexico.
- Habitat
- Moist shady rocks[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually fairly rapid. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. The seed can also be sown in the middle of spring in an outdoor seedbed and planted out in early summer. Alternatively, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in the middle of summer for planting out in the following spring. Division in March or October[1][2]. It is best to divide the plants in August or early September, making sure that the woody roots are planted quite deeply with only the crown of foliage above the ground[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any good sweet garden soil that does not dry out in spring[1]. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade[1][2]. Prefers a well-drained fairly rich and not too heavy soil[2]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4]. Apt to hybridize with other members of this genus[2]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named forms[1][7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8