GARDEN CAPSULE
The challenge: Your previously beautiful coral bells ( Heuchera) have dead centers.
The solution: To avoid this common problem, dig and divide coral bells every two or three years in spring. Using a garden fork, dig the entire plant and shake off the loose soil. Then slice through the root ball with a sharp knife, dividing it into four separate plants. Replant each one about an inch deeper than it was growing before digging; that helps compensate for the tendency of coral bells to push up as they grow.
Pluses: Because coral bells have shallow roots, they are relatively easy to dig and divide. Dividing plants produces extras for your garden. Many of the newer varieties have colorful foliage that brightens the garden throughout the growing season into winter. Their flowers attract hummingbirds.
Minuses: Although coral bells are generally easy to grow, some varieties collapse and die in summer’s heat and humidity. (To avoid this problem, select hybrids of H. villosa such as Christa, Obsidian, Citronelle, Midnight Rose, Berry Smoothie, Dolce Blackberry Ice, Caramel, Berry Timeless, Georgia Peach, or Tiramisu.)
Sources: Coral bells are widely available at garden centers. For information on growing and caring for coral bells, see the National Garden Bureau’s brochure at
http://tinyurl.com/moll4ap. For detailed descriptions of numerous varieties, go to www.perennialresource.com; click on Perennial Encyclopedia and then select Heuchera.