Coral bells boast wiry stems, leaves with fantastic color combinations, and bell-shaped flowers with varied hues. Even better, these ornamental plants need less frequent watering, and they have good resistance to disease.
Assuming you wish to add coral bells to your collection, Nick’s Garden has provided the details you need to know beforehand. Discover the plant’s background, varieties, winter care, watering needs, and fertilization requirements.
Understanding Coral Bells
The coral bell is a perennial ornamental plant, native to North America. The plants are available in multiple varieties with varying leaf color. They can grow in partial sheds, like under trees, where other ornamental plants cannot thrive. The most common coral bells varieties available for Colorado landscapers include the following.
- Ginger Ale. This coral bell variety is known for large, long, petioled leaves with ginger ale colors.
- Plum Pudding. The plum pudding has crinkled, lobed leaves with a dark purple color and deep purple veins.
- Lime Marmalade. This coral bell variety has leaves with characteristic lime-green leaves.
Why Winter Care Matters
Although Coral bells can survive in winter, they need some level of protection. Otherwise, prolonged exposure to frost can wilt and discolor leaves. This is where the right winter care comes into play. It protects roots, foliage, and other delicate plant parts from frost damage.
Preparing Coral Bells for Winter
Pruning takes center stage when preparing coral bells for winter. During the late fall, remove any dead or yellowing leaves. Avoid pruning healthy foliage. It will help the coral bells to photosynthesize which is crucial for survival.
In addition to pruning, you’ll want to make sure your soil drains well in winter. The reason? Good drainage will minimize chances of root rot. To enhance drainage, incorporate perlite, well-rotted manure, solid conditioner, or coarse sand to your garden.
Protective Measures
Mulching is a crucial benefit in keeping your Coral bells in top shape amidst unfavorable conditions. It insulates the coral bell’s roots from frost damage during winter. In the bargain, mulching helps the soil retain its moisture on dry days.
Note that you need to mulch your ornamental plants right to achieve maximum protection. Spread your pine straw, shredded leaves,or any other type of mulch around your ornamental plants. Ensure you leave a gap around the coral bells’ stem to prevent rotting.
In addition to mulching, protect your plant with garden fabrics. Place the fabrics gently on the coral bells and keep them in place with stakes. The fabrics will create a barrier to prevent your perennials from frost and strong winds.
Watering Strategies
Coral bells are fairly drought-resistant. Nonetheless, resistance to drought does not eliminate the need for watering in eternity. From time to time, you will need to hydrate the ornamental plant to support physiological processes like nutrient uptake. When watering, water your soil evenly, making sure it doesn’t get soggy.
Winter Fertilization
Like many ornamental plants, coral bells require some fertilization so that they flourish. While there are many fertilizers you could use, get a slow-release type. This fertilizer will nourish the coral bells with enough nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at a time.
Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plants, so nutrients diffuse to the root zone. You might want to water the soil lightly to enable nutrients to penetrate the soil more conveniently.
Partner With Nick’s Garden to Get the Most out of Your Landscaping
Partnering with a garden center is one of the best ways to take your gardening a step higher. These centers provide healthy seedlings, landscaping supplies, and expert support. For gardening enthusiasts in Denver, Nick’s Garden is the ideal partner in gardening matters. We offer all varieties of coral bells, plus expert tips for each.
Contact us to discuss your landscaping matters with an expert gardener.
