Foamflower

Scientific Description

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is an herbaceous perennial plant found in the Saxifrage (Saxifragaceae) family. It is found from Maine southwards throughout the Appalachian Mountains and then westward to Alabama and northwards to Minnesota, i.e., hardiness zones 4 through 9. It grows to about 1 foot tall and 2 feet in diameter, and blooms in May with either white or light pink flowers.  

This species requires partial to full shade, medium water, and loamy soil. It is a low-maintenance plant but does poorly when the soil dries out.  

This is a clump-former. Its heart-shaped, glossy, 4 to 5 lobed leaves arise from the stolons in the soil. If winters are not severe, the foamflower is considered evergreen, but its leaves may turn a reddish color and then drop in moderate to colder winters.  

The foamflower can be propagated by seeds, which can be planted immediately in the autumn or stored in a cool, dry place and sown in the spring. Alternatively, the underground stems can be dug up, divided, and planted in either the autumn or the spring.

Habitat Value

Foamflower has no major insect or disease problems. It also is deer- and rabbit-resistant. It is a great choice as a ground cover. It is found in rich, moist, deciduous forests and areas near wetlands and grasslands.

Landscape Value

Written by Matt Whitaker of WMWA Landscape Architects

Foamflower is one of our most attractive eastern native flowers. One of the first to bloom in the spring, mine has been blooming for about a week now. They are stoloniferous, meaning they spread by low creeping branches and will expand to form a beautiful carpet of spring blooms and colorful foliage (T. collina is the clump former). The foliage seldom gets higher than 6” and blooms stay under 12”. There are multiple cultivars sold now with most offering variations on the foliage color or shape but the unvarnished Tiarella cordifolia is a gem. With their reddish-green winter foliage, they have a nice winter presence putting them in the ‘evergreen’ category for me. Any shaded area with some soil moisture is suitable for foamflower. So stop trying to grow lawn under your trees and plant some Tiarella if the area is not too dry. Reflection Riding almost always has some in stock.