By: Chuck Pavlich, Director of New Product Development for Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
A Flight of Fancy FYRE WING™ Heuchera
Whilst Dan is on a whirlwind European vacation, I’ve been nominated to fill in by submitting this contribution.
In March of 2021, I found a mutation of one of our most popular heuchera varieties, ‘Delta Dawn’. It wasn’t pretty to look at; in fact, its dull brown-green leaves were the stuff compost is made of in a breeding program. The leaves were shredded and cupped downward, but I never toss a mutation until after I grow it out and see its potential, or lack thereof. The potential that I saw in this mutant was the possibility to change the morphology of the genus heuchera. Through several lab assists; tetraploidy, embryo rescue, and other high-level treatments, plus conventional breeding, we arrived at a truly novel and highly anticipated new group of heucheras that are being sold under the trademark FYRE WING™. This new breeding has a utility patent in process to protect the gene responsible for the lace-leaf effect. This utility patent will protect the genetics, ensuring that the market won’t be flooded with knockoffs from the usual suspects. So far, in less than 30 days, several hundred thousand have been purchased or are booked for the 2027 season. By far, our fastest selling heuchera in Terra Nova history. FYRE WINGS are hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Plants average about 10” tall and 12” across. Seven varieties were launched at Cultivate ’26, each accompanied by their own juvenile dragon character, that follows through in the marketing.
FYRE WING™ ‘Amber’
Amber’s bright autumnal colors are a great blender in spring and summer and the star of the show in fall. ‘Amber’ can stand alone in a container, or in the ground as a landscape plant in a featured position.
Feathery, bright neon green foliage is made for the shade. In cool weather, Heliodor’s foliage can get an orange hue to the tips, further highlighting its uniqueness. Some people have said it reminds them of a well-behaved sweet potato vine, that stays where it’s planted.
Hematite has foliage that could be mistaken for a Japanese Maple. Deeply segmented and perfectly divided, this variety is stunning in a combo container, becoming both a filler and a thriller, causing reactions like “is it a coleus”? “Is it a fern”? The ox-blood red foliage is glossy and dramatic, without being garish.
Deep, pine-green foliage is quite hairy, and feels a bit like felt fabric. ’Jadeite’ is the beefiest of the group, subtle, yet still showy. Tons of crisp white flowers, held just over the foliage crown this plant in summer. Pretty with or without flowers.
Spidery, black foliage, topped by pale pink flowers on short stalks makes this plant quite special. This one screams Halloween and would look stunning planted in a ceramic pumpkin or temporarily set in a real pumpkin or gourd.
Rhodonite has a soft, elegant appearance. Rose colored leaves are highlighted with silver in a net pattern, with veins of greyed silver. Diminutive at first, Rhodonite’ matures to a medium sized plant when summer arrives. Tiny flowers on slender stems cover the plant in May and June.
Spinel’s purple-black color is dramatic. This densely foliated plant is striking in containers and in the garden. Deeply shredded foliage is casually tussled. ‘Spinel’ is the largest of the group, a little more than a foot high and across.
By Natalie Carmolli, Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs
Also known as Althea in the South, this hardy hibiscus is the plant that shows up when everything else in the garden is running out of steam. Big, tropical looking blooms and weeks of flowers. Rose of Sharon is a great plant, particularly this time of year. To learn more Click here for an interesting article.
Click here to sign up for our monthly NEWSLETTER packed with great articles and helpful tips for your home, garden and pets!
.jpg)
.jpg)
