Sun Requirements for Heuchera Citronelle

History

• A plant breeder in France, Thierry Delabroye chose the only yellow-foliaged seedling of his "Autumn Bride" heuchera and created H. villosa "Caramel," a heuchera with caramel-colored foliage. Citronelle is a Caramel sport, introduced in 2006, with lighter yellow to chartreuse foliage. It's a patented plant so propagation is illegal without a license from the patent holder.

Characteristics

• Although H. villosa is a larger heuchera, Citronelle remains compact yet it retains its parent's tolerance for heat and humidity. It grows in a clumping habit and bears typical heuchera flower spires that reach 10 to 12 inches in height. Bloom time is in the summer, persisting through early fall.

Uses

• Citronelle's use is limited only by the gardener's imagination. Heucheras in general provide striking groundcover and, planted en masse, Citronelle is no exception. It's also worth consideration for inclusion in a meadow-themed or butterfly garden. Plant Citronelle in borders along walkways, in containers in a shady corner of the patio or in a rock garden. The lime-yellow foliage looks striking in front of darker-colored foliage or as a complement to ornamental grasses.

Sunlight Requirements

• Citronelle's foliage needs a bit more pampering than other heuchera cultivars and where you live dictates how much sun to give this heuchera. Northern gardeners can plant it in full sun but must be mindful of soil moisture; it requires consistently moist soil when growing in the sun. In warmer regions, grow Citronelle in a spot that provides afternoon shade. It tends to take on an increased chartreuse cast when planted in the shade.

Additional Care Notes

• Citronelle's leaves scorch when it sits in dry soil. Its foliage also has a tendency to burn in the winter, but those leaves are easily removed in spring. If you enjoy Citronelle's flowers, deadhead the plant during the flowering season and it will continue to produce them. In areas with severe winter weather, pile mulch over the Citronelle after the first hard freeze.