Heuchera villosa Magnum

Heuchera 'Magnum', is a recent French creation that is among the most spectacular heucheras. This surprising descendant of Heuchera villosa, with an evocative name, forms very large leaves of burgundy-purple that come alive with metallic reflections and dark veins as it ages. Its long spring to summer flowering, made up of numerous spikes of tiny white-pink flowers, is an additional asset. With its ever-evolving evergreen foliage, this variety is impressive in the ground and looks lavish in containers.

Heuchera 'Magnum' belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. It is a hybrid of Heuchera villosa, native to the mountains of the eastern United States, obtained in France by Thierry and Sandrine Delabroye. It will reach 30 cm (12 in) in height for the foliage and 60 cm (24 in) in width in 3 to 4 years. This heuchera forms a large, spreading clump. The foliage is the major asset of this evergreen plant: its rounded and lobed leaves with wavy lamina can reach 20 cm (8 in) in diameter, and they have prominent veins. As summer reaches its peak, their burgundy colour fades and the foliage becomes veiled from May-June and continues, depending on the climate, until August. The flowers are small bells that are white when they open and then become pink, and are arranged along an erect stem. This plant has a shallow root system: it withstands heat well but requires a soil that remains moist.

Heuchera 'Magnum' deserves a special place in the garden or on the terrace, always in partial shade and in moist soil. It can be planted in the ground in a bed, in a shaded and cool rockery, or in a pot. When planted in a row in a flower bed, this heuchera, which allows for multiple combinations with other flowering or foliage plants, will bring dynamism to the garden. Pair it with hostas (the 'Empress Wu' hosta, which is giant, will form a superb blue background), grasses, and ferns for a wild effect. It also makes a good companion for shrubs and roses, planted in undergrowth areas. In a shaded rockery, place a light mulch at its feet to contrast with its beautiful foliage. Lastly, it is an ideal ground cover with remarkable colours. Pair this heuchera with the 'Autumn Brides' cultivar or with blue flowers: forget-me-nots, brunneras, corydalis, or lungworts. Heuchera is perfect for filling your pots, containers, and large shaded planters. A good cut flower, the delicate bells of this plant add a lot of lightness to bouquets.

Heucheras with trembling stems and tiny bells were very fashionable in the 19th century in gardens all over Europe. They were nicknamed "the despair of the painter" by the Impressionist painters, perhaps after attempting in vain to depict their colours.