Height: 18 inches
Spacing: 15 inches
Sunlight: Sun to shade
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Other Names: Coralbells, Alumroot
Description:
Dainty red bells rise from compact mounds of gray-green foliage with silver overlay; amazing contrast to other plants; great versatility; keep soil moist in heat of summer
Ornamental Features
Arctic Mist Coral Bells features dainty spikes of red bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. Its attractive crinkled lobed leaves remain grayish green in colour with showy silver variegation throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Arctic Mist Coral Bells is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Arctic Mist Coral Bells is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Arctic Mist Coral Bells will grow to be about 14 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Arctic Mist Coral Bells is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.