Heuchera ‘Zipper’
Heuchera ‘Zipper’ is a bold and vibrant evergreen perennial, celebrated for its intensely ruffled, orange-gold foliage with bright burgundy undersides. Full of personality and colour, it provides year-round interest in borders or containers and adds a cheerful splash to shaded or partially sunny spots.
At a Glance
Type: Evergreen perennial
Common Name: Coral Bells
Foliage Colour: Orange-gold with deep burgundy undersides
Flower Colour: Small creamy white or pale pink flowers
Height: 20cm (0.6ft)
Spread: 30cm (1ft)
Flowering Time: Late spring to mid-summer
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 to -15 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H6)
Position: Partial shade or morning sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil
Vivid Foliage for All-Year Colour
Heuchera ‘Zipper’ is loved for its showy, deeply lobed and highly ruffled leaves that glow with a rich orange tone, especially vibrant in cooler weather. The leaf undersides are a dramatic burgundy-purple, giving an extra layer of contrast when the ruffles reveal their edges. This colourful foliage holds its appeal throughout the year, making it ideal for bringing life to dull spots in the garden even in winter.
A Bright Accent for Borders and Containers
Compact and neatly mounded, ‘Zipper’ is perfect for the front of borders, woodland gardens, or as a bright accent among ferns, hostas, and other foliage plants. It also makes an excellent contrast plant when paired with dark-leaved or silver-toned companions. Its evergreen nature ensures it keeps its structure and colour all year round.
Delicate Blooms with Pollinator Appeal
In late spring and early summer, slender flower stems rise above the foliage, bearing clusters of small, pale flowers. While not the main feature, they add soft charm to the plant’s striking leaves and offer nectar to bees and other pollinators.
Growing Tips
Watering: Water regularly in dry spells, particularly in the first year. Established plants are relatively drought tolerant.
Feeding: Feed in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser or mulch with compost to encourage healthy foliage.
Pruning: Remove faded flower stems and any tired leaves as needed to keep the plant tidy.
Dividing: Divide clumps every 3–4 years in early spring or autumn to rejuvenate growth and increase stock.
Positioning: Performs best in partial shade but will tolerate morning or late afternoon sun, especially in cooler climates. Avoid full sun in hot, dry areas.
Potted: Yes, Heuchera ‘Zipper’ is an excellent container plant. Use a loam-based compost with added organic matter and ensure good drainage. Regular watering and monthly feeding during the growing season will keep potted plants in top condition. Ideal for brightening patios, balconies, or entrances year-round.
Fully Hardy and Easy to Maintain
With a hardiness rating of H7, ‘Zipper’ is reliable across all parts of the UK, handling frosts and cold winters well. It is also slug and deer resistant, and thrives with minimal attention, making it a dependable choice for low-maintenance gardeners.
Perfect Companions
Pair Heuchera ‘Zipper’ with:
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Heuchera ‘Black Pearl’ – for bold, high-contrast foliage
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Pulmonaria ‘Opal’ – for spring interest and silvery leaves
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Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ – to complement the golden tones
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Hosta ‘Patriot’ – for striking green and white foliage contrast
Why Choose Heuchera ‘Zipper’?
Heuchera ‘Zipper’ is a fiery little powerhouse that brings bold foliage colour, structure, and texture to every corner of the garden. It’s low maintenance, long-lasting, and easy to grow—ideal for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Plant Heuchera ‘Zipper’ for a burst of year-round colour, low-effort care, and vibrant foliage that lifts borders, containers, and shady corners.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.