The Stunning Shade-Loving Plant That Will Be A Hummingbird Magnet In Your Garden

It takes a lot of energy for plants to produce blooms, which is why flowers and sunshine often go hand in hand. But if you want a garden full of flowers that attract hummingbirds and don't have a super sunny spot available, meet your new favorite plant: foamy bells (x Heucherella).

Foamy bells is a human-made hybrid between two plants: coral bells (Heuchera) and foamflowers (Tiarella). Both plants have some traits in common. They are known for being flowers that grow perfectly in the shade, they are native to the US, and they are hummingbird magnets with their abundant nectar and colorful blooms.

Foamy bells have inherited this last perk from their parents. The flowers come in pink and white, but since hummingbirds tend to be most drawn to colors on the red spectrum, go for a pink variety if that's your goal. With a combination of the vivid foliage that coral bells are known for and the dainty flower and leaf shape of the foamflower, foamy bells feature more variety in flowers and leaves than either parent plant.

Foamy bells are a perennial plant with a wide climate range: they can be cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 11, though it depends on the variety. Most are evergreen, and they are low-growing and compact, making for a great shady ground cover, edging, container plant, or hanging basket.

Foamy bells typically thrive in partial shade; access to some morning sun is great, but even deep shade can work for these hardy plants. The soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter, and while they prefer consistent moisture initially, they are drought-tolerant once established. They also resist pests, rabbits, and deer, and they attract more than just hummingbirds — they also feed butterflies and songbirds with their spring- and summertime flowers.

Recent years have resulted in a wide range of foamy bell varieties to choose from. For example, 'Alabama Sunrise' features bright, gold-green foliage with red veins that changes color with the seasons, and 'Buttered Rum' has almost pumpkin-colored leaves that turn rosy red in the fall. For vibrant pink flowers and vivid green leaves, look at 'Dayglow Pink,' or if you prefer purple foliage with pink leaves, there's 'Plum Cascade.' There are many others to choose from to suit your preferences.