Patterned-Leaf Foamy Bells for Twin Cities Shade Borders Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells (Heucherella 'Solar Eclipse') is a foamy bells hand-selected for the Twin Cities climate. Frothy spikes of pink or white flowers in early summer attract bees and hummingbirds. Whether you're planting a shaded border in Eden Prairie, layering a foundation bed in Bloomington, or anchoring a perennial bed in Minneapolis — Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells performs reliably in zone 4b–5a yards. Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells Plant Details Attribute Detail Scientific Name Heucherella 'Solar Eclipse' Common Names Foamy Bells Mature Height 8–14 inches Mature Width 14–20 inches Growth Rate Moderate — clump expands 4–6 inches per year Sun Part shade to dappled shade. More shade-tolerant than coral bells. Water Consistent moisture. Avoid drying out in the first 2 seasons. USDA Zones 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) Soil Prefers organic-rich, well-draining soil. Amend Minnesota clay with compost at planting. Foliage Bold patterned foliage in greens, reds, and bronzes with dark veining; semi-evergreen in MN. Winter Hardiness Reliable to -30°F with light mulch over the crown in November. Deer Resistance Strongly deer-resistant. Bloom Frothy spikes of pink or white flowers in early summer attract bees and hummingbirds. Foliage Pattern See product photo — varies by cultivar Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells Uses in Minnesota Landscapes Shaded perennial borders Foamy Bells are a cross between Heuchera and Tiarella. They bring bolder leaf patterns than coral bells to a shaded bed under oaks and maples across the Twin Cities. Woodland and naturalistic gardens Their fingered leaves echo the look of native foamflower while bringing dramatic veining. A natural fit for a Minnesota woodland edge planting. Container companions Pair with ferns and astilbe for a layered shade container that holds color through Minnesota's long shoulder seasons. Best Time to Plant Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells in Minnesota Fall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities). Spring (late April–May) is the second-best window — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots. How to Plant Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells Dig wide, not deep. 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging. Check drainage. Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain in 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan to improve drainage. Backfill with native soil + 20–30% compost. Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment but don't create a "container" of pure compost. Spacing. Refer to the mature width above and space accordingly. Closer for mass plantings, wider for individual specimen plants. Water basin. Build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove before winter to avoid ice damage. Mulch. 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk or crown. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate. Watering Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells in Minnesota First Year Watering Schedule Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant) Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches/month June–August) Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing late-season growth that gets killed by winter After Year One Established plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work. Will Foamy Bells survive a Minnesota winter? Yes — hardy to zone 4. Apply 2 inches of shredded mulch over the crown in late November to buffer against freeze-thaw heaving. What is the difference between Foamy Bells and Coral Bells? Foamy Bells (Heucherella) are a cross between Coral Bells (Heuchera) and Foamflower (Tiarella). They have similar care but typically show bolder leaf patterns with stronger central veining. Are Foamy Bells deer-resistant? Yes — strongly. Deer almost universally avoid Heucherella. You May Also Like Shop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards Deer-Resistant Plants — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie Pollinator Garden Plants — supports the Lawns to Legumes program How Many Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells Do I Need? Forms a clump 14–20 in wide, so space about 16 in apart for a patterned shade carpet: Run Length Plants Needed (16 in spacing) 5 ft 4 10 ft 8 15 ft 11 20 ft 15 Group in 3–5 for a woven tapestry of foliage, or use single plants as a foliage accent in a shade container. Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells Season-by-Season in Minnesota Spring: Bold patterned leaves flush out with dramatic dark veining. Summer: Frothy spikes of pink-white flowers rise in early summer, drawing bees and hummingbirds. Fall: Foliage deepens to richer reds and bronzes as nights cool. Winter: Semi-evergreen—the leaves persist under snow; a light mulch over the crown buffers freeze-thaw. At a Glance ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest Plant It With Peach Tea Foamy Bells — a warm-toned Heucherella sibling for a layered foliage blend. Obsidian Coral Bells — near-black leaves that make the patterned foliage glow. Japanese Painted Fern — silvery fronds that lighten the shade planting. Jack Frost Brunnera — silver-veined leaves and spring blue flowers for the same bed. Is Solar Eclipse Foamy Bells Right for Your Yard? It thrives in part to dappled shade in organic-rich, consistently moist soil, bringing season-long patterned color that deer reliably avoid. It is not a fit for hot, all-day sun, which scorches the leaves, or dry soil—it needs steady moisture through its first couple of seasons.
