Heuchera 'Obsidian'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking dramatic, deer-resistant foliage contrast.
Heuchera 'Obsidian', or Coral Bells, is a stunning perennial celebrated for its ultra-dark, jet-black foliage that remains vibrant throughout the growing season. This cultivar provides a magnificent contrast in gardens, perfect for borders, edging, or as a dramatic groundcover. Delicate cream-colored flowers appear in early summer, attracting butterflies. 'Obsidian' thrives in heat and humidity, tolerates some drought once established, and is resistant to deer. It offers months of exquisite, hard-to-find color, bouncing back well from winter cold.
$25.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2998
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-6%
Below average
SKU
31560
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast foliage for dramatic landscape design
- Homeowners needing reliable groundcover for dim, shaded garden corners
- Busy gardeners wanting low-maintenance plants with minimal upkeep
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with gardens exposed to harsh, direct afternoon sunlight
- Owners of gardens with heavy, poorly draining clay soil
- Gardeners looking for strictly set-it-and-forget-it perennial plants
Performance breakdown
Foliage Visual Impact
The jet-black leaves provide unmatched contrast against lighter garden greenery.
Climate Resilience
Robust performance in heat, humidity, and varying winter temperatures.
Maintenance Ease
A low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal ongoing care.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer, keeping your garden beds intact all season.
Pollinator Appeal
Delicate cream blooms offer a subtle draw for local butterflies.
Landscape Versatility
Perfectly suited for borders, edging, or dense, dramatic groundcover.
Key Specs
SKU
31560
Genus
Heuchera
Variety
'Obsidian'
Item Form
1-Quart
Mature Height
10 in
Mature Width
15 in
Hardiness Zones
4 - 9
State Shipping Restrictions
GU, HI, PR, VI
Features
- Ultra-dark, jet-black foliage
- Color maintained all season
- Heat and humidity tolerant
- Deer resistant
- Attracts butterflies
- Cream-colored summer blooms
- Suitable for groundcover
- Provides seasonal color
What customers say
Customers are overwhelmingly positive about the Heuchera 'Obsidian', focusing heavily on its unique aesthetic appeal. The deep, near black foliage is consistently cited as a stunning design feature that provides excellent contrast in garden beds. Reviewers frequently highlight the plant's exceptional quality and reliability. Plants arrive healthy and establish quickly, showing vigorous growth and impressive hardiness even in varied conditions. This robust performance combined with the dramatic color makes it a highly recommended garden addition, justifying the perceived value.
Know before you buy
Yes, 'Obsidian' is prized for its stable, ultra-dark, jet-black foliage that maintains its deep color throughout the entire growing season.
Yes, this cultivar is heat and humidity tolerant and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, making it quite versatile for different garden exposures.
Since 'Obsidian' reaches a mature width of about 15 inches, you should space them approximately 12 to 15 inches apart to create a dense, continuous groundcover effect.
Yes, 'Obsidian' is considered deer resistant, which makes it a reliable choice for gardens where deer pressure is a common concern.
This plant prefers loamy, well-drained soil. Ensuring good drainage is key to keeping the root system healthy, especially in areas with high humidity.
Once established, 'Obsidian' is relatively low-maintenance. It has moderate water requirements and is hardy enough to bounce back well from winter cold in zones 4 through 9.
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$26