Of all the Alumroots, Island Alumroot is my favorite. It’s the biggest and its leaves are the most interesting to me. In my yard I have it in the side yard, but honestly it would probably do better underneath the guava tree in the back. Island Alumroot works well in full shade but likes dappled or morning light as well. It dislikes hot afternoon sun, and unfortunately, that is where mine lives. In my yard the summer sun hits our windows and burns the Heuchera’s every year. They survive, but it doesn’t look pretty. Heuchera is a true understory plant so have it under a tree or in full shade of a building or an eave. I have it under a client’s staircase and it works well there receiving morning light, but dodging the afternoon sun.

Plant Heuchera’s in masses; their blooms will look like a soft white and pink cloud in the early spring. Hummingbirds will appreciate you and come and drink the nectar, along with any butterflies. Other varieties like Opal, Rosada and Wendy are technically half native since they’re crossbred with Heuchera’s from the Southwest, resulting in redder colored varieties; they tend to be smaller than Heuchera maxima. Other varieties like Heuchera micrantha are from alpine regions and tend to need more water and stay smaller; they do not do well under areas of high leaf drop since they get buried easily.

Calscape