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Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ (Chameleon)

Heart-Leaved Houttuynia 'Chameleon', Chameleon Plant, Heart-Leaved Houttuynia 'Variegata', Heart-Leaved Houttuynia 'Tricolor', Houttuynia cordata 'Variegata', Houttuynia cordata 'Tricolor'

Houttuynia Cordata 'Chameleon', Heart-Leaved Houttuynia 'Chameleon', Chameleon Plant, Heart-Leaved Houttuynia 'Variegata', Heart-Leaved Houttuynia 'Tricolor', Houttuynia Cordata 'Variegata', Houttuynia Cordata 'Tricolor', Chameleon Plant, Best groundcovers

Primarily grown as a ground cover in moist to wet areas, Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is a wide-spreading perennial with aromatic green leaves (when bruised), beautifully variegated with shades of red, pink, yellow or cream which contrast the bright red stems. Tiny, inconspicuous white flowers appear in late spring to early summer. 

  • Vigorous, this deciduous perennial reaches 9-18 in. in height (22-45 cm) and spreads 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). This plant spreads invasively by rhizomes and may need to be restrained. 
  • This sturdy performer is easy to grow and generally pest and disease free. 
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in reliably moist, humus-rich, fertile soils. May be planted in shallow pond margins (tolerates up to 2 in. (5 cm) of standing water over the crowns). Full shade tolerance but best foliage color is obtained in full sun.
  • A spectacular addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, near ponds and streamsunderplanting roses and shrubs or containers and is an excellent choice as a groundcover or edging plant.

 

 

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Saururaceae
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 9" - 2'
(23cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 24"
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Recommended Companion Plants

Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ (Coral Bells)
Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ (Frikart’s Aster)
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Moor Grass)
Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’)
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue)
Astilbe
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Saururaceae
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 9" - 2'
(23cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 24"
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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