In the Nov./Dec. 2012 issue of Wisconsin Gardening magazine, they had an interesting article titled "Heuchera: The Midwest's Shirinking Violet". And although I'd never really thought about it, I'd have to agree with some of the observations, one being that many heuchera start out "robust" the first year and gradually "melted" over the next several years until they disappeared.
I'd blamed this problem in my own garden on the drought, horrible heat, maybe I had it in the wrong light, etc. And yes, over the years I have lost a number of heuchera no matter where I moved them. Don't get me wrong, I'm still crazy about them and will continue to add to my collection, but will keep in the back of my mind that like the article said, they may be a rather "short-lived" perennial.

I'd also like to note that there are some I've had for many, many years and they still look great.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Some varieties are just not that strong. The hybriders have mixed the species of this plant so much that its hard to figuar out the requirerments for the plant. Here in the PNW must be a good area for them as I'm successful with most. Rust is a big problem here. My understanding is they are working on making them more resistant to this. Just like you Chris some I'v had for years and others I need to bring into the grrenhouse and pamper for the winter. A friend of mine did an excel spreadsheet on mine and I have over a 100 varieties. Heuchera 'Pistache' and 'Citronelle' are very hard to grow here. I wrote these off as not good for the PNW but got both of them in a trade this year. I planted them in a new area that is under the eve and close to the foundation. I was thinking this would keep them from getting so much rain.
Heuchera is my fav. plant so will continue to grow. I use them in containers becuse they stay everegreen in my zone and keep there color.

100 varieties? Wow - impressive! May I ask what kind of information you're tracking on your spreadsheet?

Well, I can't remember there location or what ones I have. I will also be able to note what happens to each and sun conditions. Not sure If I can keep up on all that but at least I will not buy one I already have.
Chris I sure would like to read your article. Is there a link?

I would have to agree that many are short lived , and need to be divided every few years to keep them going. The ones that TNN have as good for the northwest do not do well at all here. The whole Marmalade series almost never last more then one season here

Bob,
How is the storm? Happy to see your safe.

Yes Bob, hope you continue to stay safe.

Julia, I checked and they don't have that article on line, sorry. Your spreadsheet sounds like a great idea! Wish I had time to do that for all my plants. Right now the only ones I track like that are my sempervivum.

I would not have done this but my friend did it all. I do make maps of things I plant now and make name tags.

I always thought those types of spreadsheets would be fun - I just never had the time for them. What else is tracked on these spreadsheets Spring? I am wondering if there are any other patterns such as weather, the vitality of the plant, etc.

Bob - haven't heard from you. Are you alright? NY and NJ were supposed to have caught most of this..... Let us know. Praying for your safety.

Also praying and concerned about those out east. Please let us know if you're OK.

Check in.

Thanks for asking , I am ok but things are a mess around here. No electric , but at least I have a generator. Getting gas a problem with waits at station around 2 hours and limit of 20 dollars of gas. I only lost my fence but many trees down. and a lot of them on peoples houses . One down the block is crushed , but at least no one was at home when it happened. A lot of clean up to do , but could have been much worse.





Some pictures from my block.

Wow, what a lot of damage. So happy to hear you're OK! Thanks for letting us know. Sure was a huge and horrible storm - so many people affected.

Bob

So glad you are ok. Thank you for letting us know. I was watching the news on tv last night and they were saying there is real danger from open natural gas lines. I am hoping there is nothing like that in your area. Please stay safe.

Carolyn

Bob,
Those pictures are crazy scary. So happy your OK.
Thanks

Glad you are ok Bob! I know you must be very frustrated to say the least. Thanks for taking time to share your pictures, Wow what a mess!!

Bob, so glad you are OK. That's all that matters.

Polly good to know you are safe to. We had it easy compared to those near the shore. But now they say another Nor'easter is coming next week.

Chris,
The article came today, thank you. Very well written and all his comments are so true. Not only are they a 'Shrinking Violet' in the Midwest but here in the PNW as well. He named some of the poorest growing hybrids such as Caramel (growing my 2nd one) and snow angel (2nd one). At least my experience with them and I'm here in an area they should love! It made me feel better knowing a professional plantsmen such as Edward Lyon has problems with these as well.
When I see mine fading I divide and have been successful in rejuvenating the plant. Most home gardeners will not do that but, I just love the color they give in all seasons.

Polly good to see all is fine with you. Did you have many trees down around your area?

Hi Springcolor!

We have no trees down on our cleared property, but back in our woods we could hear them snapping and crashing. All the more firewood for our neighbors. We use pellets here. I don't see anyone that has much down at all, no damage to houses. Thanks for asking.