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Plant Height: 6 inches Flower Height: 12 inches Spacing: 12 inches
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Hardiness Zone: 4a Other Names: Coralbells, Alumroot Description: Dainty spikes of cream colored bells rise from a compact mound of near-black foliage with rounded lobes; amazing contrast to other plants; great versatility; keep soil moist in heat of summer Ornamental Features Blackout Coral Bells features dainty spikes of creamy white bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to mid summer. Its attractive glossy lobed leaves remain black in color throughout the year. Landscape Attributes Blackout Coral Bells is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics. Blackout Coral Bells is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Blackout Coral Bells will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round. This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. However, you may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation. Blackout Coral Bells is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
