This dainty perennial earns its name from the delicate clusters of white flowers that rise above the almost maple-like foliage. This is an excellent shade garden plant.
Size and method of spreading:
This perennial is 6 to 12 inches high and wide. There are two naturally occurring forms of foamflower. One is a clump forming ground cover and the other can spread by stolons to some degree. Clump-forming ground covers are plants that are not usually thought of as ground covers. They are perennials that can be planted closely together to provide the visual effect of a ground cover.
Native geographic location and habitat:
Heart-leaved foamflower is found in rich woods in the eastern United States and into Canada. C-Value: 10
Leaf description:
This perennial has lobed leaves, maple-like in shape, forming a low growing rosette. The shape may vary by cultivar.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size description:
It has small white or pinkish flowers in clusters held on stalks above the leaves.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:
The fruit is a dry capsule and is not ornamentally important.
Plant care:
Heart-leaved foamflower requires a shady, moist site, but avoid planting it in wet soils.
List of pests and diseases:
There aren’t any serious issues, but slugs are a possible problem.
Brandywine foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia ‘Brandywine’):
It has rugose, textured leaves with distinct red blotches in the center and bronze fall color. This cultivar can spread by short stolons.
Elizabeth Oliver foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia ‘Elizabeth Oliver’):
This cultivar has green leaves with maroon markings and light pink flowers.
