{"product_id":"cracked-ice-foamy-bells","title":"Cracked Ice Foamy Bells","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePatterned-Leaf Foamy Bells for Twin Cities Shade Borders\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCracked Ice Foamy Bells (\u003cem\u003eHeucherella 'Cracked Ice'\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 Maple Grove, layering a foundation bed in Burnsville, or anchoring a perennial bed in Edina — Cracked Ice Foamy Bells performs reliably in zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCracked Ice Foamy Bells Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeucherella 'Cracked Ice'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoamy Bells\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–14 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14–20 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — clump expands 4–6 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to dappled shade. More shade-tolerant than coral bells.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConsistent moisture. Avoid drying out in the first 2 seasons.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers organic-rich, well-draining soil. Amend Minnesota clay with compost at planting.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBold patterned foliage in greens, reds, and bronzes with dark veining; semi-evergreen in MN.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F with light mulch over the crown in November.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrongly deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrothy spikes of pink or white flowers in early summer attract bees and hummingbirds.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSee product photo — varies by cultivar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCracked Ice Foamy Bells Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShaded perennial borders\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoamy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWoodland and naturalistic gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir fingered leaves echo the look of native foamflower while bringing dramatic veining. A natural fit for a Minnesota woodland edge planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContainer companions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair with ferns and astilbe for a layered shade container that holds color through Minnesota's long shoulder seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Cracked Ice Foamy Bells in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the second-best window\u003c\/strong\u003e — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Cracked Ice Foamy Bells\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDig wide, not deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck drainage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain in 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackfill with native soil + 20–30% compost.\u003c\/strong\u003e Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment but don't create a \"container\" of pure compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Refer to the mature width above and space accordingly. Closer for mass plantings, wider for individual specimen plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater basin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Cracked Ice Foamy Bells in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze\u003c\/strong\u003e (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing late-season growth that gets killed by winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Foamy Bells survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — hardy to zone 4. Apply 2 inches of shredded mulch over the crown in late November to buffer against freeze-thaw heaving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between Foamy Bells and Coral Bells?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoamy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Foamy Bells deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — strongly. Deer almost universally avoid Heucherella.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all\"\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog\u003c\/a\u003e — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/deer-resistant\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pollinator-garden\"\u003ePollinator Garden Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — supports the Lawns to Legumes program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Cracked Ice Foamy Bells Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a 14–20 in. spread, space plants about 17 inches apart for a knitted shade carpet, or use single plants as patterned accents. Drifts of 3–5 read best in a woodland bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed \/ Border Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (17 in. spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e29\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCracked Ice Foamy Bells Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boldly veined, patterned leaves emerge in greens, reds, and bronzes to light up the shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frothy pink-to-white flower spikes rise in early summer for bees and hummingbirds; foliage stays crisp in part shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaf patterning deepens and intensifies as temperatures drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-evergreen in Minnesota — mulch the crown in November to buffer freeze-thaw heaving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/buttered-rum-foamy-bells\"\u003eButtered Rum Foamy Bells\u003c\/a\u003e — a warm caramel-toned sibling for a patterned-leaf shade tapestry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/catching-fire-foamy-bells\"\u003eCatching Fire Foamy Bells\u003c\/a\u003e — fiery foliage that contrasts the cool veining of Cracked Ice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/japanese-painted-fern\"\u003eJapanese Painted Fern\u003c\/a\u003e — silvery fronds that pick up the leaf coloring in dappled shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-pearls-astilbe\"\u003eBlack Pearls Astilbe\u003c\/a\u003e — upright plumes for height behind the low foamy bells carpet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Cracked Ice Foamy Bells Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in part-to-dappled shade with organic-rich, evenly moist soil — north and east foundation beds, woodland edges, and shaded borders where deer browse. Not a fit if the spot bakes in hot afternoon sun or dries out; the leaves scorch and the crown struggles.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54219869159729,"sku":null,"price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Cracked_Ice_Foamy_Bells_1.jpg?v=1778991916","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/cracked-ice-foamy-bells","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}