IME Sedums really prefer all day sun, so I am not sure that under a maple is a good location. The maroon foliaged Weigela that I have grown or seen have had better color in a good amount of sun.

There are some low growing dark leafed perennial Geraniums such as Orkney Cherry, though that has more brown to the leaves. There is at least one other with redder leaves, but my mind has blanked on particular names.

Check out some of the dark foliaged Ajugas like Black Scallop.

If you don’t mind replanting every year, there are some tender perennials that function as annuals such as Begonias that have dark reddish leaves.

To Festiva Maxima, You are so right about the Maple creating a tough environment - yes to roots and dry during the growing season...I learned the hard way. Now the bed is planted with walker's low nepeta and good ol' reliable hostas and they are doing well. I'm going to keep watering the existing heucheras and will mulch this winter. Hope they will recover. Thank you for your comments.

To NHBabs, the bed I'm working with is in front of the house - in the front row of the landscaping line. It gets sun from 11:00 until almost sundown so I'm thinking that the sedum and/or weigela might work there. I'm going to check out the geranium and the ajugas that you have mentioned. Thank you so much for suggestions.

Here are my thoughts if it’s not too late. First, I’ve found that heuchera—even the darker-leaved varieties labeled as full sun—don’t do well in blazing afternoon sun and are best with a few hours of morning sun if possible. I have crispy leaves on some dark varieties that get only a few hours of afternoon sun. Second, I agree with the suggested substitute of a dark-leaved cranesbill geranium like the one in my first picture. I can’t locate the

ariety but you’ll find them and this one has beautiful pink flowers against purple-red leaves and takes afternoon sun pretty well. My other idea would be black mondo grass in my second picture, fun deep color and better for the 7 hours of afternoon sun you describe. Also under maples do your best to clear roots and maybe even consider sinking plastic pots in the ground with holes drilled in them and planting inside to give your new plants a chance. I’ve had to do this under the canopy of some silver maples with terrible competitive roots. Hope this helps.

Here’s the black mondo grass.

User error on describing the order and posting the mondo grass pic in the middle of my first post :( The dark sedum suggested is also a good choice, here is a picture of ‘Xenox’. But i’ve found that in a fair amount of direct sun they don’t hold their dark color as well, maybe it’s just the 2 varieties I have. I also cut back the Xenox in early June otherwise it gets lanky and flops.

I have found that some of the hybrid heucheras -- especially the more brightly colored, peachy colored ones are very hard to grow. I can't tell you how many I have planted that failed -- but some have thrived in both shade and full sun. I have had great success with Purple Palace both under a maple and in full sun. After they are established I never water them, never ever feed them, and they thrive. Its seeds sprout in the cracks of my brick patio, so every year I have more. Purple Palace isn't a strong, deep purple though since more of the color is on the underside of the leaves.

I second the Palace Purple as a choice. I’ve had a planting under a Norwegian pine for about twenty years. Started out as a few plants, now I call it living mulch thanks to reseeding. Mine never get extra water. You can see in my phot they mixed with hosta and daylilies.

Sherry

Wow, you all have such good suggestions. I'm learning so much about the importance of siting plants from the get go. Thank you for being so generous with you knowledge.

I mean "with your knowledge."

I have had some of my huecheras for over five years here in Zone 2b or 3. I have learned from experience that they do not like too much sun. I have also learned that some varieties survive and some do not. Purple Palace, as mentioned, is a good one. I've also had good success with Key Lime Pie, and then there were some unnamed ones from Walmart that have also survived many years under my mountain ash trees.

My soil is not terribly good. Mostly sand that I try to amend with some better soil a planting time. I top with a bit of store bought manure once a year to try and give them a bit more in nutrients. I also fertilize with Miracle Grow once or twice during the summer.

Just wanted to add a third yay! for Palace Purple, and also add one for Plum Pudding, who is doing well in my yard in several areas and has a little darker color than Palace Purple. I have not had luck with Berry Smoothie and my new Heucherella Red Rover is so far not impressing me.

I have a new dark leaved Fire Chief that is doing really well so far, but I've only had it for a few weeks. It has a really cute flower spray of RED, though. I haven't seen many of those.

Thanks hydrangea head..I think I will try Palace Purple, I really like the profile of heucheras and will keep at it for a few more years. Someone told me you're not a gardener until you kill something 3x.

Starshine, that made me smile! There is truth to that statement ; )

Sherry