Coral bells

Year-round

Coral bells like this one want light to part shade with rich, well drained soil kept evenly moist. In Tallahassee's climate that usually means morning sun with shade for the hottest afternoon hours, since a full day of Florida sun will scorch the leaves. Once settled in, a clump reaches about knee high and a little wider and holds up well through humid heat.

• Plant in part shade, ideally morning sun with shade during the hottest afternoon hours
• Use rich, well drained soil with added compost or leaf mulch, this species does not like soggy roots
• Water enough to keep the soil evenly moist, letting it dry out completely can scorch the leaves
• Expect a mature clump around 1 to 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide

Fall

Fall stays warm in Tallahassee well into October, and this is when hairy alumroot often puts out a smaller second flush of blooms. As nights cool toward the first frost around mid November, growth slows and the foliage settles in for winter.

• Enjoy a possible rebloom of small flower spikes into September and October
• Keep watering through any dry fall stretches, Tallahassee's rain often tapers off once the summer storm season ends
• Leave the semi-evergreen foliage in place, it stays attractive through fall and gives some cover for the crown over winter
• First frost typically arrives around mid November, your cue that active growth is winding down

The semi-evergreen foliage keeps this bed looking tidy and HOA-friendly through fall instead of going bare.

Winter

Winters in Tallahassee are mild for this plant, usually staying in USDA zone 8b to 9a, though an occasional hard freeze can still dip into the low 20s. It keeps at least some of its leaves through a normal winter here.

• Expect the foliage to stay semi-evergreen through a typical Tallahassee winter, only cutting back leaves that turn mushy or black
• On nights when a hard freeze is forecast into the low 20s or colder, a layer of mulch or a light frost cloth over the crown adds protection
• Hold off on fertilizing until new spring growth starts
• Cut back on watering compared to summer, the plant needs much less in cooler, often drier winter weather

Spring

Spring in Tallahassee warms up fast, with the last frost usually passing by mid March. This is the best window to divide a crowded clump, clear away any leaves that browned over winter, and refresh the mulch before summer heat sets in.

• Wait until after your last frost, typically mid March in the Tallahassee area, before dividing or transplanting
• Trim off any leaves that browned or went mushy over winter to make room for new growth
• Refresh a couple inches of mulch around the base to help hold moisture once the weather turns hot
• New leaves should pick up quickly as days warm, no need for heavy fertilizing this early

Summer

Tallahassee summers are hot, sticky, and stormy, with afternoon thunderstorms rolling through most days from June into September. This species handles that heat and humidity better than many coral bells, but good air movement around the crown still matters.

• Afternoon shade matters now, midday Florida sun on top of high heat can scorch leaves even on a tough plant
• Let the frequent summer storms handle most of the watering, only add extra if a stretch goes dry for a week or more
• Space plants so air can move between the leaves, Tallahassee's humidity raises the risk of fungal leaf spots without it
• Skip fertilizer during the hottest weeks, feeding pushes soft growth that struggles in the heat