Watering Coralbells
Newly planted Coralbells need watering for a week or two while they get established. If they are in good soil, rich in organic matter that holds moisture, they should not need any supplemental watering unless there is drought. If they are in thin soil they will need 1/2 to 1 inch of water per week from your soaker hose system or sprinkler or from rainfall. Be sure and mulch the soil over their shallow roots to help the soil stay moist longer. For information on products see the file on Choosing Watering Equipment
Fertilizing Coralbells
Sprinkle a handful of all-purpose slow-acting granular fertilizer on the soil around each plant in the spring for the rain to soak in. This is sufficient for the year. For more information see the file for Choosing Fertilizers
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Mulching Coralbells
A 1 or 2 inch layer of an attractive organic material such as chopped leaves, wood chips or shredded bark spread on the soil around coralbells plants protects their shallow roots, suppresses weeds and conserves soil moisture in the summer. As it decomposes over time, the organic mulch adds valuable humus to their soil. In the winter a light, airy organic mulch such as pine needles or evergreen boughs laid over coralbells after the ground freezes will help buffer extreme fluctuations of soil temperature which sometimes disturb shallow plant roots. Avoid using a thick layer of leaves or other heavy mulches that might smother coralbells’ evergreen foliage. Coralbells require very little care beyond the occasional watering when rainfall is scarce. For more information see the file on Using Mulch
Pruning/Grooming Coralbells
To encourage continuous bloom promptly cut off the stalks after their flowers have faded.
Propagating Coralbells
The easiest way to acquire additional coralbells plants is to divide those clumps that are very large every 3 to 5 years. Division will also rejuvenate older plants that develop long woody stems, lose vigor, and bloom poorly. Dig the coralbells clumps in the spring, discarding any weak, woody parts from the center of the clump. Gently pull off strong growing portions with sufficient root systems from the outside of the clump and replant them.
