This document provides information on native California plant species from the Heuchera (Alumroot) genus that are suitable for gardens in western Los Angeles County. It lists 13 species of Alumroot along with their scientific names, common names, sizes, flowering periods, light and soil requirements, water zones, and notes. The species listed vary in height from less than 1 foot to 3 feet tall and provide a variety of flower colors including pink, white, and dark pink blooms in the spring and summer. Most species prefer part shade to full shade and well-drained soil. The document serves as a guide for selecting low-maintenance California native plants adapted to the climate and conditions of western LA County gardens.

1. 1
CA Native Plants for Western L.A. County Gardens – The Alumroots or Heucheras (genus Heuchera)
I
Scientific Name Common Name Size
Flower/
season
Light**
Soil
Water
Zone+ Availability Notes
X * Heuchera abramsii
San Gabriel
alumroot
< 1 ft tall
1 ft wide
Pink/Sp PS/FSH
Well-
drained;
rocky
2 34
Crevice plant;
good for rock
gardens
X * Heuchera caespitosa Tufted alumroot
2-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Pink/Sp-Su PS/FSH Most 2 to 2-3 3, 7, 11, 48
Very attractive;
hummingbirds
X * Heuchera cylindrica
Roundleaf
alumroot
< 1 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
White/Sp PS/FSH Many 2 to 2-3
3, 8, 11, 13,
46
Showy; unique
X
* Heuchera maxima
(incl. many cultivars &
hybrids)
Island Alumroot
1- 3 ft tall
and wide
White/Spr PS/PS/ FSH
Any, incl.
clays
1-2 to
2-3
1, 3, 7, 8, 13,
14
Larger flowers;
does well in
gardens
X * Heuchera micrantha Crevice Alumroot
1- 3 ft tall
and wide
Pink/Spr PS/PS/ FSH
Well-
drained 2-3 to 3 1, 3, 8
Good for rock
gardens
X * Heuchera parishii Parish’s alumroot
< 1 ft tall
1 ft wide
Pink/Sp PS/FSH
Well-
drained;
rocky
2 None yet Crevice plant
X * Heuchera pilosissima
Seaside (Hairy)
Alumroot
1-2 ft tall
and wide
White/Sp PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2 to 2-3 5, 6
N. Coast; good
massed
X * Heuchera rubescens Pink alumroot
< 1 ft tall
1 ft wide
Pink-whte/
Sp-Su
PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2 to 2-3 8, 34
Container;
crevice gardens
X * Heuchera sanguinea Arizona coral bells
1- 3 ft tall
and wide
Dark pink/
Sp-Su
PS/FSH
Well-
drained
2 to 2-3
On-line or local
nurseries
Arizona native
3/15/2016
I : X = Gardening Information Sheet available on-line (http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html)
* may not be immediately local, but is a CA native plant
** light: FS=full sun; PS=part shade; FSH=full shade
+ Water Zones: 1 = no summer water; 1-2 = very occasional summer water (several times per summer); 2 = let soil dry out between waterings;
2-3 some regular summer water (about once a week); 3 = regular watering/moist soil (like a conventional lawn)