Ethnobotany for Heuchera maxima

1. Island Alumroot – Heuchera maxima (HOY (HEW)-ker-uh MAKS-ih-muh )
Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
Native to: Northern Channel Islands; primarily on moist, shady, north-facing canyon bottoms, walls,
and seacliffs in chaparral, coastal sage scrub.
Growth characteristics: clumping perennial rush mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
The lobed, heart-shaped green leaves form a basal clump and are often mottled with gray or pale
green markings. Leaves have long stalks (petioles) and are hairy. Leaf edges coarsely toothed.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms late winter to mid-spring. Numerous small white/pink bell-shaped flowers
on stalk held above the foliage. Hybrids between H maxima and H sanguinea range in color from
light to blight pink, magenta – very showy. Hybrids include 'Genevieve' (rose-magenta), 'Opal'
(white), 'Santa Ana Cardinal' (large red), 'Susanna' (red), and 'Wendy' (pink) all developed at the
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Hybrids are readily available (see sources).
Uses in the garden: Often used as a groundcover, but also nice in woodland and shade gardens or
borders, along paths or in containers , and for cut flowers. Excellent under trees, including oaks.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native periwinkle (Vinca major) and ivy (English & Algerian; Hedera)
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant for bees and hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun on the coast, part to full shade anywhere
Soil Well-drained soils; any pH except very acidic
Water Regular water to establish, then water 2-4 times per month to keep nice looking in
summer. Very drought tolerant in shade, but won’t look as nice without water.
Fertilizer Light application of organic fertilizers or mulch
Other
Management: Mulch, remove spend flower stalks for prolonged bloom and looks. Usually need
dividing every four or five years (when blooming decreases). Divisions best done in early Spring.
Plant self-seeds.
Propagation: from seed: in spring by divisions: easy in early spring before growth spurt.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 20, 24 2/16/11
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. Co. © Project SOUND