Heuchera hybrida Little Cuties Sweet Tart

Heuchera Sweet Tart is a recent hybrid heuchera, with a particularly compact habit and fruity colours, which will be a sensation in borders in the garden as well as in flower pots on the terrace or balcony. It develops persistent foliage, initially yellow when budding, turning lime green in summer, from which rises a very vibrant show of flowers, consisting of spikes adorned with countless small bright pink and cherry red flowers, forming a colourful contrast full of dynamism. It will flower throughout the summer, planted in moist but well-drained soil, in a non-scorching or partially shaded exposure.

Developed by the American company Terra Nova Nurseries, the Heuchera Sweet Tart is part of the 'Little Cuties' series of hybrid heucheras, characterized by a very compact habit particularly suitable for flower boxes and rockeries, a long flowering period and bold and vivacious colours. These plants can also be grown indoors, much to the delight of gardeners without a garden.

Heuchera 'Sweet Tart' belongs to the Saxifragaceae family and forms a small spreading clump, 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) high and 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) wide for the foliage. The flowering spikes, 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) tall, emerge from June to September. The combination of the summer colour of the foliage, a very acidic green, and the two-tone bright pink and red flowers forms a superb contrast. The leaves of this Heuchera are small, rounded in shape, and strongly veined. The flowering, light and airy, consists of small bells arranged along an upright stem. This plant has a shallow root system.

The 'Sweet Tart' Heuchera will be planted in the ground in a border, in a shady and moist rockery, or in a pot. In a row in front of a flower bed or along a path, this Heuchera will bring dynamism to the garden. Combine it with hostas, grasses, and ferns for a wild effect. It will also be a good companion for bushes and roses, planted in woodland areas. In a rockery, place a rust-coloured mulch at its feet, contrasting with its beautiful foliage. Finally, it makes an ideal ground cover, with remarkable colours. Combine this Heuchera with blue flowers, the only shade it truly lacks, and it will be a perfect complement. This little Heuchera is an ideal plant for filling your pots, containers, and flower boxes. A good cut flower, the graceful bells of this plant bring a lot of lightness to bouquets.

Heucheras with trembling stems and tiny bells were very fashionable in the 19th century in all European gardens. They were named 'painter's despair' by the Impressionist painters, who probably tried to represent them in vain.