Garden information sheet for plant.

1. *Seaside alumroot – Heuchera pilosissima (HOY(HEW)-ker-a pil-oh-SIS-ih-muh)
Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
Native to: Central and Northern coast from Santa Barbara to OR; shady, wooded, coastal slopes
and coastal bluffs below 1000 ft.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Evergreen, herbaceous perennial with heart-shaped, medium-green leaves. Plant is mounded,
spreading by rhizomes from a basal rosette. Entire plant is densely hairy and glandular.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring, usually Mar-June. Flowers grow on tall, upright flowering stalks.
Individual flowers are small, bell-shaped, pink flowers. The sexual parts (stamens and stigma)
protrude from the narrow floral neck. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Tine seeds in dry capsules.
Uses in the garden: Often used as a ground-cover plant in shady gardens. Plants and flowers look
spectacular when massed. Compact shape gives it a neat appearance. Great for hummingbird
gardens, shaded rock gardens or in containers. Great choice for immediate coast. Looks lovely
paired with moisture-loving native ferns. Cultivar ‘Lillians’ Pink’ is widely available.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Heucheras and other non-native shade-loving perennials.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird habitat: also provides cover and seeds for seed-eaters.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Part-shade to full shade.
Soil Well-drained soils best; like slightly acidic pH (5.0-7.0).
Water Regular water (Water Zones 2-3 to 3) in S. California.
Fertilizer ½ strength once or twice a year if in pots.
Other Organic mulch is fine.
Management: Prune out dead leaves, flower stalks. Divide every 3-4 years, as needed. Watch for
mealybugs and mildew during damp periods.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in fall/winter by divisions: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 12, 46 11/29/15
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native