How far apart should you plant coral bells, dicentra, and heuchara which are 1 quart size?

Question

also, why are the coral bells and dicentra so expensive in your opinion as compared to heuchara?

Answer 1

Well, my understanding is that Huchera and Coral Bells ARE the same plant. HOWEVER, there are many new cultivars that have recently been released, which are patented. These Huchera are being bred for their FOLIAGE color rather than the flowers that they produce. Because they are recent releases and patented, that is the reason they are so much more expensive. It takes a long time to bring a new cultivar to market. It has to be tested at various locations in different zones to see where they are hardy at. It is also expensive to cultivate enough of the new cultivar to offer it to market. Testing for disease resistance is another cost factor.

With regard to the Dicentra, I believe the cost there is because the plants that are offered for sale are at least 2-3 years old. It costs money to grow plants for that long, with labor, fertilizer, repotting, housing.

Answer 2

Heuchera is the Latin or botanical name for coral bells; and it depends on the cultivar of heuchera you get.  Some are in dwarf form.  But a good rule of thumb would be about 10" to 12".  

Dicentra spectabilis is the botanical name for the common bleeding heart, and depending on the cultivar your spacing would be much greater than coral bells.

Supply and demand helps guide prices as well as the time committed to propagating the plants for nursery delivery.