Heuchera villosa Chantilly

The Heuchera villosa 'Chantilly' is a vigorous ground cover that is recognized for its large palmate leaves in a vibrant green topped with tall creamy fluffy panicles, both light and dense. Fresh, evergreen, easy to combine with other perennials in the garden, this unpretentious plant brings a second wind to slightly faded borders in late summer and lacking greenery in winter. Close to the villosa species, native to the Appalachians, it is also a robust and hardy perennial plant that thrives in any well-drained but moist soil, preferably in partial shade.

The Heuchera 'Chantilly' belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. It is a famous descendant of Heuchera villosa, a rhizomatous species that naturally grows on shaded and damp rocky slopes in the mountains of the Northeastern United States. 'Chantilly' is a vigorous cultivar characterised by its vibrant green leaves and double, cream-white flowering.

The plant will reach an average height of 30-35 cm (12-14in) (foliage) and a width of 60 cm (24in) in 3-4 years. This Heuchera forms a beautiful, spreading cushion-like clump. Its evergreen foliage is its main asset: the leaves are large, up to 15 cm (6in) long, rounded, with a lamina divided into 5 to 7 dentate triangular lobes, and traversed by numerous dark veins. Their color varies from light to medium green depending on their age and sun exposure. The flowering of this variety is late, occurring from August to October. Full of charm, it takes the form of numerous erect stems of 50-60 cm (20-24in) in height rising well above the leaf clump. Each long hairy floral scape is terminated by a panicle filled with numerous double cream-white small bells. While it tolerates shade, the flowering of this plant will be more generous in morning sun.

Heuchera 'Chantilly' is a discreet but undeniable ground cover for partially shaded areas of the garden. Its foliage remains decorative throughout the year, and its flowering brings a sense of lightness to any setting. For example, combine it with the blue flowers of forget-me-nots, Omphalodes verna, brunneras, ajugas, columbines, campanulas, or Japanese grasses (Hakonechloa), always far from the heat of the sun. Its pairing with daylilies allows for playing with contrasting textures, which extends beyond the flowering period. When planted en masse, it will form an absolutely delightful border along an east-facing pathway. In a cool and shaded rock garden, it can be accompanied by tiarellas and heucherellas, and Asarum, for example.