Palace Purple is one of the originals and it is very hardy - can't go wrong with this one and it is often less expensive than the newer varieties.

Great! Thanks!!

Sherrygirl, not as deep purple as I would have imagined. Is this due to the fact that they are planted in shade?

I’m not sure about the color here. The heuchera closer to the bottom of the photo get more sun.

Agree Palace Purple is a great start. They look so good with the Hostas Sherry, really sets them off. Some seedlings will not be as dark a purple and can be pulled out if you do not care for them.

are these cultivars easy to grow from seeds or should I just buy them in small pots?

I’ve not grown these from seed. A few of the older varieties do self seed for me. I have seedling every spring from Palace Purple and Autumn Bride, at least that’s my guess of the seedlings origin. There is a post here from this past season about growing these from seed, should be easy to find.

sherry

In Australia there is a variety called "Sugar Plum" and in the cooler months it is quite a vivid "iced" purple colour. During Summer months it takes more of a dark purple hue. I have it planted under Crimson Sentry Maples and in a vertical garden.

I am sorry, I always though they were shade plants like hosta. Never heard os them in sun. Teach me more!

These are one of my favorite perennials. I have about 28 varieties in various locations. Some of my favorites that have done exceptionally well for me is Berry Smoothie, Carmel, Watermelon, Stainless Steel, Obsidian, Sugar Plum, Silver Scrolls, Plum Royale and Paprika. They add so much color to the garden.

Michelle, do you have a photo? You have a lot of varieties that aren't available in Australia.

You would think since I love them so much I would have individual pics but I spent my photographing ability on hostas and daylilies. I will take more pics this year and post as the season progresses!

Most heucheras will not come true from seed - many are hybrids and propagated by tissue culture. And they are not necessarily a shade plant - they just like a richly organic and moist soil. Darker colored and heavily veined selections do better in a sunnier aspect. Those with very pale lime green or yellow foliage will prefer at least partial shade.

Just saw some "Palace Purple" coral bells at Lowes... they were in really small containers... 3" across... but they weren't really purple! More of a dark green with some purplish tinge... is that because they are really young plants? Will they become more purple as the mature? I am only interested in something that's a true purple all season long... thoughts?

Coloring on this older variety (the first of the 'purple' leaved heucheras and grown from seed) is rather variable and is never the rich, intense purple of more recent named hybrids. Most sources describe it as "deep olive green to purplish bronze" and Mt. Cuba has this to say: "Although Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ grew consistently well, it was not without its weaknesses. It showed great variability in foliage color, ranging from purplish black to brownish green. This level of variability seemed too great for a cultivar sold and named specifically for its unique color."

If you want a real purple, then look for Obsidian, Violet Frost, Plum Pudding, Sugar Plum, Georgia Plum, Plum Royale, Shanghai, Blackberry Jam or Forever Purple. All will have much better purple coloring (that persists all season) compared to Palace Purple.

I just picked up eight 1 gallon Plum Pudding. I noticed that some seem to have almost two plants within the container. Can I separate the plant to get an extra planting? Is it too late in the season? we are zone 4b so it has warmed up but most stuff has just leafed out.. thanks