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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
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Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot)

Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot) leaves in March
Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot) villous petiole in August.
Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot) 'Autumn Bride' with villous petiole and stem with bracts and flower buds in August.
‘Autumn Bride’ has especially showy flowers.
Pedunculate (8–20" long) panicles of Heuchera villosa (hairy alumroot) cultivar 'Autumn Bride.'
Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot) flower panicle with villous peduncle and calyxes in September.
Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot). Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2018-09-30, Nature Conservancy Garden.
Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot). Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2018-09-30, Nature Conservancy Garden.
Heuchera villosa
Heuchera villosa

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Heuchera villosa Hairy Alumroot Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Although Hairy Alumroot’s native* habit in Virginia is mostly in the south- western mountains, not NoVA, its five-inch wide, semi-evergreen leaves and late-season flower plumes make it worthy of consideration for a woodland garden. There also are many fine cultivars of this species available. Ground Cover Mounds, Flowers with Pollinator,** Fruit Height: 11⁄2–21⁄2 feet Spread: 1–2 feet Bloom Color: White, pinkish Characteristics Semi-evergreen, low-mounding, herbaceous perennial Basal rosettes of palmate, velvety, triangular toothed leaves with nearly glabrous to villous petioles Tiny flowers with villous calyxes and exerted stamens and styles in open, airy panicles with usually rusty-villous peduncles June to October 2-beaked capsules with 2 persistent styes Attributes Tolerates shade (prefers some shade in south); intolerant of drought (keep soil moist); no serious pests or diseases although crowns may rot in poorly drained soil; deer seldom severely damage Foliage should remain through milder winters Ethnobotanic and therapeutic uses Attracts bees, butterflies Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Humus-rich, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Moist Remove faded flower stems to stimulate rebloom Apply mulch after ground freezes to protect roots; remove any winter-damaged foliage early spring Divide clumps in spring every 3 to 4 years Use as edger along paths or walkways or en masse in woodland gardens or to control erosion Excellent Replacement for Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy Hedera helix - English Ivy Liriope species Pachysandra terminalis - Japanese Pachysandra Vinca minor - Periwinkle Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DE, PA, or NoVA. **Probably common eastern bumble bee. developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free (fruit) and Elaine Mills, Green Spring Gardens and the Nature Conservancy Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot)

Although Hairy Alumroot’s native* habitat in Virginia is mostly in the southwestern mountains (it is not native to NoVA), its five-inch wide, semi-evergreen leaves and late-season flower plumes make it a species worthy of consideration for a woodland garden. There also are many fine cultivars of this species available.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is not native to DE, PA, or NoVA.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets