Terra Nova unveils dragon-inspired heuchera Fyre Wing Series at Cultivate'26

Terra Nova Nurseries' dragon-themed booth at Cultivate'26.

Terra Nova Nurseries premiered its Heuchera Fyre Wing Series of lace-leaf heuchera at Cultivate'26.

The dragon- and gemstone-inspired Fyre Wing Series originated from a rare breeding breakthrough and years of careful selection and stabilization, according to the Oregon-based company.

"With leaves that appear to unfurl like finely laced dragon wings, the Fyre Wing Series transforms Terra Nova’s rare breeding breakthrough into a heuchera collection rooted in both botanical innovation and imaginative storytelling," the company said in a news release. "The series’ seven inaugural varieties are inspired by dragon lore and the treasured gemstones long associated with these mythical creatures, with each heuchera displaying foliage colors that echo the depth, glow and character of its namesake gem. The new series introduces finishing growers, brokers, retailers and gardeners to a new world of heuchera defined by dramatic texture, gem colors and the unmistakable mystique of dragons."

The non-GMO collection is protected by utility-patented genetics and draws inspiration from eastern and western dragon mythology.

"According to dragon traditions and lore, dragons are notorious for hoarding treasures, specifically gold and gems, which form the shells of their eggs," the company continued in the release. "To celebrate this beloved folklore legend’s connection, Terra Nova has named the introductory collection of the Fyre Wing Series varieties 'The Seven of the Lace Crown,' which includes seven brand-new heuchera varieties in colors reminiscent of precious gemstones: ‘Amber’, ‘Heliodor’, ‘Hematite’, ‘Jadeite’, ‘Jet’, ‘Rhodonite’ and ‘Spinel’."

"Since Terra Nova’s start in 1992, we’ve introduced more than 1,000 new plant varieties, each unique in their own way. However, some new plants or series are developed that simply stand out from the rest," said Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries. "The Heuchera FYRE WING Series has that special one-in-a-million quality. The deeply cut, lace-like foliage creates a level of texture and dimension that hasn't existed in the category until now."

The seven varieties in the series, each accompanied by its own lore-inspired origin story and with the follow descriptions provided by Terra Nova, are:

• ‘Amber’, born in autumn’s golden hour and embodying warmth, features golden-amber foliage that transitions through copper and burnished copper-umber tones with the seasons.
• ‘Heliodor’ chases light across garden paths with its deeply cut, frilled lime-green foliage, prized orange-tinted new growth, and a dense, rounded habit. Its wings shimmer like young leaves just kissed by the warmth of spring.
• ‘Hematite’ carries the strength of iron-rich earth, displaying wonderful, dragon wing-like leaves in rich cordovan red accented by copper highlights. Bold yet grounded, ‘Hematite’ stands firm where others falter.
• ‘Jadeite’ produces fuzzy emerald-green foliage and vigorous growth, bringing texture and freshness to mixed plantings. Its wings mirror spring’s first unfurling, and wherever ‘Jadeite’ settles, renewal quickly follows.
• ‘Jet’, hatched beneath a moonless sky and combines black foliage and silvery hairs for a dramatic, reflective appearance unlike any other heuchera.
• ‘Rhodonite’ showcases an unusual shifting combination of rose, violet, purple and copper on delicate-looking, finely cut foliage. Its veined leaf-wings hold blush and steel, reminding all that there is beauty in strength enduring.
• ‘Spinel’ rose from deep twilight vineyards of lace-leaf shadows and glows in layered wine tones. Purple-bronze, lacy leaves with hints of red and silver cover this densely packed plant as it spreads its wings and takes flight as a landscape centerpiece.
  

The seven varieties in the Fyre Wing Series of heuchera are featured in Terra Nova Nurseries' Cultivate'26 booth.

Birth certificates were conceptualized and created by Terra Nova for each of the varieties and their dragon counterparts to highlight their origin stories. Each birth certificate includes the variety’s unique lore, illustrations of the dragon’s claw prints symbolic of the foliage and the corresponding gemstone.

"The collection's varieties are supported by 'The Lore of the Lace Crown' tale, which is the mythos about the 'dragons' in the series and was developed by Terra Nova’s breeding and marketing teams," the company said in the news release. "The Lore of the Lace Crown informational narrative serves as the new plant series’ backstory to creatively unify the collection with the world’s popular dragon fanfiction. According to the story, each variety embodies a distinct natural characteristic — warmth, light, renewal, shadow, balance, earth/ember or twilight — represented through its color, texture and growth habit.

"While grounded in artistic storytelling, the lore reflects the collection's real-world origins," the company continued. "Terra Nova describes the Fyre Wing Series as 'the living echo of a botanical breakthrough,' celebrating the rare discovery that led to the first, true lace-leaf heuchera collection."

"The 'Lore of the Lace Crown' gives the collection another layer of depth," Pavlich said. "Each variety has its own personality and place within the story, but all seven are connected by the same remarkable breeding characteristics. Together, they create a magical experience that is memorable and fun for plant and dragon lovers of all ages."

Terra Nova plans to continue expanding the series in future years as new colors and unique traits emerge from the lace-leaf breeding program.

The initial seven varieties will be available in limited introductory quantities, with availability scheduled to increase in 2027; pre-orders were required, and Terra Nova collected orders at Cultivate'26.

Terra Nova has partnered with Bluestone Perennials to facilitate mail-order purchases from the general public in spring 2027.

Visitors to Terra Nova's Cultivate'26 booth encountered an immersive dragon-themed display centered around a medieval-inspired castle and mountain backdrop. Dragons that corresponded with the Fyre Wing varieties sat atop the castle's pillars along with matching graphic banners of each dragon. Terra Nova also designed a green, color-changing dragon featuring light-up eyes and nostrils, which was displayed at the center of the castle.

Check out our video on Terra Nova at Cultivate'26 below:

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Terra Nova conceptualized and created a comprehensive suite of creative assets to support the new series and establish a cohesive fantasy-inspired brand identity. The original story lore, custom illustrations and themed promotional items were developed to create a memorable introduction to the Fyre Wing Series, the company said.

These included miniature 3D-printed dragons, temporary dragon tattoos, stickers and lens cleaners at the company's booth.

The Heuchera Fyre Wing varieties were showcased on the steps of the castle in Terra Nova’s booth in a gradient pattern by color, highlighting the range of gemstone tones in the new varieties.

Terra Nova also showcased the series on a 16-foot heuchera tree display, accented by a 7-foot dragon wrapped around its crown, in a central area of the Cultivate show floor.

All of the Fyre Wing varieties are included in Terra Nova’s new 2026-2027 catalog, which follows the theme "There Be Fyre Wing." The catalog features "The Laced Wings of Seven," an original fantasy short story behind the new collection. The story is told throughout the catalog in short excerpts, following the discovery of seven magical, colorful dragon eggs and how they came to be the "Seven of the Lace Crown."

Terra Nova’s creative marketing team combined custom illustrations, collateral and storytelling to transform the introduction of the series into a fully realized brand experience. The Terra Nova breeding and marketing teams also created a video narration of "The Laced Wings of Seven" story, which was narrated by Kailee Blair and can be viewed on the company’s website.

Editor's note: The GIE Media Horticulture Group conducted a video interview with Chuck Pavlich at Cultivate'26 about the Fyre Wing Series. Stay tuned for the full video, posting in the coming weeks!