Heuchera XXL

Heuchera 'XXL' is a phenomenal new French variety of heuchera with an evocative name. It is a surprising descendant of Heuchera villosa. It forms gigantic purple and evergreen leaves, animated with metallic reflections, sometimes adorned with a bronze glow or a tin-like glaze, occasionally spotted with apricot or caramel. Its delicate stems bear numerous spikes of tiny pink flowers that turn cream-coloured towards the end of summer. This heuchera is a greedy plant that requires fertile and moist soil, but tolerates heat quite well, although it prefers partial shade.

Heuchera  'XXL' belongs to the saxifrage family. It is a hybrid of Heuchera villosa, native to the mountains of the eastern United States, and was bred in France by Thierry and Sandrine Delabroye. It reaches a height of 50 cm (20 in) and a width of 90 cm (35 in) for the foliage in 4 to 5 years. This heuchera forms a large, spreading clump. The foliage is the main asset of this plant: its triangular leaves with pleated and lobed laminae can reach a diameter of 20 cm (8 in). As summer reaches its peak, the red colour of the leaves fades and the foliage takes on different shades and metallic reflections. It turns brick-red, bordered with golden-yellow in autumn, and remains dark red in winter. The undersides of the leaves have a silvery hue. The leaves of this heuchera have strong veins. The light and airy flowering starts in August and continues until October. The flowers, small bell-shaped blossoms that are pink when they bloom and then turn cream-coloured, are arranged along an upright stem. This plant has a shallow root system.

Heuchera 'XXL' deserves a prominent place in the garden. It can be planted in the ground in a flower bed, in a shady and cool rockery, or in a pot. When planted in a flower bed, this heuchera brings dynamism to the garden. Pair it with hostas (the giant Hosta 'Empress Wu' will create a superb blue backdrop), ornamental grasses, and ferns for a wild effect. It also makes a good companion for shrubs and roses when planted in undergrowth areas. In a rockery, place a light-coloured mulch at its base to contrast with its beautiful foliage. Finally, it is an ideal ground cover with remarkable colours. Pair this heuchera with the 'Autumn Brides' cultivar or with blue flowers such as forget-me-nots, corydalis, or lungworts. Heuchera is perfect for filling your pots, containers, and large shaded planters. The delicate bell-shaped flowers of this plant add a sense of lightness to bouquets.

Heucheras with trembling stems and tiny bell-shaped flowers were very popular in 19th-century gardens throughout Europe. They were named "Despair of the Painter" by the Impressionist painters, who likely tried to depict them in vain.