Most of the improvements we make to our plants are for their benefit. One such improvement is the subject of this post.
Quick Answer: You should mulch your Coral Bells, as it has many benefits. The best mulch is 1-2 inches of pine bark. The best time to mulch is in the spring.
Best mulch
One of the best materials for mulching is pine bark. One of its significant advantages is its long lifespan. Pine bark can last two years, while most organic materials break down within a year.
Also, pine bark protects the ground from overheating and freezing, keeping the plant comfortable in winter and summer.
Another noticeable advantage of the bark is that it is much harder for weeds to grow through it.
A better choice is a pine bark nuggets. These nuggets are bark shredded into 1-2 inch pieces, which is ideal for growing plants.
Another good mulch is pine straw. It looks very original and performs its function well.
An undoubted advantage is the easy access of air to the soil. The pine bark also protects the ground from drying out quickly.
Pine needles are inferior to pine bark in terms of weed prevention. Pine needles decompose slightly, acidifying the soil, which is a small advantage.
One disadvantage of pine needles is their short life span. They should be renewed at least once a year.
Read also: Ultimate Guide to Growing Heucheras.
How to mulch?
If you choose pine bark or compost, the mulch layer should be 2 inches thick. A thicker layer will not allow oxygen to enter the soil, and mold may develop. A thinner layer will perform poorly.
If we are talking about pine straw, the layer of mulch should be at least 2 inches. The optimum thickness of the layer is 3-4 inches.
The area to be mulched should be at least the diameter of the bush. Avoid mulching too close to the stem. There should be a gap of about 1 inch between the heuchera stem and the mulch. A stem buried in the mulch can begin to rot.
The best time to mulch is in spring. If you use pine bark, check it for quality. If it still has structure, you may not need to change it. Pine bark can last two or more years.
The second suitable period for mulching is autumn. Over the summer, some of the mulch may decompose, and it must be renewed to make it more comfortable for the plant to overwinter.
Bad mulch
Some materials are poorly suited for mulching Coral Bells. Nevertheless, they are widely available on the market.
First, it concerns cedar mulch. It is shredded fresh wood. Its disadvantage is that it absorbs nitrogen from the soil and can bring aggressive substances back, causing the plant to suffer.
The second unsuitable material is black mulch, which is wood waste colored black. Such mulch is often covered with mold and is absolutely useless for plants.
The worst mulch is shredded car tires. Never use it for mulching heucheras because it can cause serious damage to them. In addition, the smell of rubber in your garden will spoil the enjoyment of plants.
Will Coral Bells grow through mulch?
Coral Bells can grow through mulch if the layer is less than 4 inches thick. However, pouring mulch over the stem or crown is not a good practice because it will create high moisture around the plant, which can cause stem rot.
Always mulch a short distance from the stem (1 inch). This will keep the stem dry and healthy.
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