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Heart-leaved foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

Common names:
heart-leaved foamflower, foamflower, foam flower

Content Detail

Heart-leaved foamflower is a dainty perennial that earns its name from the delicate clusters of white flowers that rise above the almost maple-like foliage. It is an excellent shade garden plant.

  • Family (English) Saxifrage
  • Family (botanic) Saxifragaceae
  • Tree or plant type Perennial, Ground cover
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale North America
  • Size range Low-growing plant (under 6 inches), Small plant (6-12 inches)
  • Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, Pink, White
  • Shape or form Creeping, Mounded
  • Growth rate Moderate

More Information

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 Description

It has small white or pinkish flowers in clusters held on stalks above the leaves.

Fruit Descriptions

The fruit is a dry capsule and is not ornamentally important.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Heart-leaved foamflower requires a shady, moist site, but avoid planting it in wet soils.

Pests and Diseases

There aren’t any serious issues, but slugs are a possible problem.

Cultivars

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.

Photo Gallery (3)

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