SEED ORDERS OVER $100 SHIP FREE!
Heuchera richardsonii

Prairie Alumroot

$3.00 - $129.00

Packet
$3.00
1/8 oz.
$17.50
1/4 oz.
$30.00
1/2 oz.
$55.00
1 oz.
$100.00

Tray of 38
$129.00
3 Pack
Out of Stock

Prairie Alumroot begins and ends its growing season debut with a mounded basal rosette of curly-edged foliage; the leaves are quite hairy on their undersides.  Juvenile plants may exhibit some variegation with either white or red-tinged hues.  Flowering stalks rise from the center of each clump, often reaching 2 feet tall – sometimes 3’ – before setting blooms.  The bell-shaped blossoms are a subtle pale green or cream color when plants are situated in the shade.  When sited in full sun, the flowers may include yellow or even ruddy-red tints.  Regardless of the overcoat color, the exserted stamens peep out from the under the upper petal’s lip, sticking out like brilliant orange tongues.  

Heuchera richardsonii acclimates to a wide range of soil moisture, but it performs best when situated in an area with plenty of sand, gravel, or other materials that would allow for water to drain readily from the site.  This plant tolerates more sun in the northern reaches of its native range.  Partial shade is preferred in hot, dry, or more southern climates.  Prairie Alumroot has relatively shallow roots and benefits from having a winter mulch applied – especially in cool weather climates.  

Hummingbirds and a variety of butterflies are drawn to the tubular flowers.  Colletes aestivalis is a bee species that specializes in pollinating Prairie Alumroot and other native Alumroot plants.   

Also commonly called Richardson’s Alumroot. 

Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Potted 3-Packs May/June September 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep pots
Potted Trays of 38* May/June N/A 2" wide x 5" deep plugs
*This species is a choice in the Mix & Match - Create Your Own Tray!

Heuchera richardsonii - Prairie Alumroot

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

3 Questions asked on Heuchera richardsonii

I recently planted my first prairie alumroot in my native garden about a month ago, and after initially doing very well, some of the foliage is turning brown. I don't necessailry expect blooms this year, as I bought it small in a 2.5" pot, but I am concerned that the inner area, where new ones should be forming, seems brown. It is planted in a heavy silty clay soil that I have supplemented with sand and organic material and receives about 3/4 sun. Is it possible that the roots are suffering from excess moisture? I water every day since most plants in my garden are newly established. Thanks for your help.
HI Dave. I do think it is getting too much water. During this transplant year it might need a little extra care to establish, but everyday water is too much for most prairie plants. I would suggest watering 2-3/week this first summer IF you are without rain. Good luck and I hope it recovers.
I just noticed this was listed as a plant that grows well under black walnut trees. Why is that? PH level maybe? I'm just honestly curious as we do have a black walnut without any plant friends at the moment. It is in an area that is mostly clay, with full sun. Thank you!! John
Hi John, Black Walnut trees emit a toxic substance called juglone. This chemical give the walnuts a competitive advantage because many plants will not survive the toxicity, which is highest within the dripline of the tree. However, many of our native plants that have co-evolved with the Black Walnuts are immune to the toxicity of juglone. You can find a list of juglone-tolerant species here.
Is this an evergreen in Zone 5?
Hi Shannon. Prairie Alumroot can be evergreen/semi-evergreen, especially in Zone 5 and other southern portions of its native range. The evergreen quality depends on winter temperatures and the microclimate of its exact site.

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.

Shipping & Handling Charges

SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00
Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!

Custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100, add 5% of the total seed cost
(for orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required)

BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50.00 and under: $9.00
over $50.00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required.)

TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).

**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kits transit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) outside the contiguous US or to CALIFORNIA due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Seeds/Packet
750
Seeds/Ounce
350,000
Germination Code
C(30)
D
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full, Partial
Soil Moisture
Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height
2 feet
Bloom Time
May, June, July
Bloom Color
Green
Advantages
Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perch
Deer Resistant
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-8
Plant Spacing
8-12''
Catalog Code
HEU02F