Alumroot

Three species of insects – a cellophane bee, a flea beetle and an aphid- are exclusive to alumroots.

ALUMROOT (Heuchera richardsonii)

Unique clumps of round, shallowly lobed and toothed leaves are what’s most attractive about alumroot. Tall, leafless flower stalks produce narrow spikes of green-white flowers that aren’t exactly head-turners, for people, anyway. Three species of insects – a cellophane bee, a flea beetle and an aphid- are exclusive to Heuchera species, but other pollinators, like Halictid bees also take advantage of the pollen and nectar. Alumroot grows in dry to medium sandy – even rocky – soils in prairies, open woods, or woodland edges.

Grows with purple prairie clover, dwarf milkweed, black snakeroot, black-eyed susan, wild bergamot, giant hyssop, Canadian lousewort, big bluestem, sorghastrum and shrubby cinquefoil.

Flower Colour: green – white
Life Cycle: perennial
Sun Exposure: sun – part shade
Bloom Period: late July – September
Height: 1 – 2.5 ft
Soil: dry – moist