Pruning coral bells
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Coral bells are grown for their often evergreen leaves and need not be stripped bare. Remove only dead or damaged leaves and, if desired, spent flower stems. The months are a guide for gardens in the Netherlands and Belgium; growth stage and weather take priority.
Coral bells — October
Check this first
Retain healthy winter foliage on coral bells. Remove only clearly dead or damaged leaves; if all foliage dies in winter, the main tidy can wait until spring.
Pay attention to this
- Purple, bronze or lime green may be the cultivar's normal leaf colour.
- Cut leaf stalks without damaging the thick crown or fresh leaf buds.
- A raised, exposed rootball needs its planting depth checked, not harder pruning.
Frequently asked questions
- Must Heuchera be cut right back each spring?
- No. Keep healthy leaves and remove only damaged or dead ones.
- Why does my coral bells lose its winter leaves?
- Cultivar and cold conditions both matter. Wait until spring growth before clearing fully dead foliage.
- Can I remove the flower stems without the leaves?
- Yes. Trace each thin flower stem to its base and carefully cut it there.