Shady Beauties

These coral bells add lively color to shadowy spaces

- PEGGY RICCIO

1 Red Lightning

ZONES 4 TO 9

Overlaid with bold mahogany-red veins, Red Lightning's chartreuse foliage instantly brightens up any shady spot. This mound-shaped perennial reaches 16 inches wide with 18-inch stalks of delicate white blooms. It thrives in hot, humid summers and creates a striking focal point when planted in containers or in the garden.

Why we love it: Red Lightning's airy white summer blooms draw in many pollinators, including hummingbirds.

2 Iridescent

ZONES 4 TO 9

A fresh standout among coral bells, Iridescent changes color from rose-pink to silver-lavender as its leaves mature through the season. Come summer, it puts out light pink blooms that rise well above the 10-inch plant, offering a delicate complementary accent.

Why we love it: If your garden doesn't offer much shade, this variety is more tolerant of sun than most coral bells. It also performs well as a subtle filler or a defining feature in mass plantings.

3 Dolce Sultry Night

ZONES 4 TO 9

A more compact heuchera, Dolce Sultry Night reaches 10 inches tall, making it ideal for containers. Its ruffled, glossy black leaves are brushed with purple highlights, and a light breeze reveals their purple undersides and stems, enhancing the plant's rich black-purple look.

Why we love it: Later in the season, Dolce Sultry Night's moody dark foliage becomes even more fitting as a transitional color, perfect for fall and Halloween.