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Tiarella cordifolia (Foam Flower)

Foam Flower, Coolwort, False Mitrewort, White Coolwort

AGM Award
Tiarella cordifolia, Foam Flower, Coolwort, False Mitrewort, White Coolwort, Shade plants, White Flowers
Tiarella cordifolia, Foam Flower, Coolwort, False Mitrewort, White Coolwort, Shade plants, White Flowers

Tiarella cordifolia (Foam Flower) is a stoloniferous herbaceous perennial forming a lush clump of semi-glossy, heart-shaped leaves, 3-4 in. wide (7-10 cm), consisting of 3 to 5 lobes. Evergreen in mild winter climates, the foliage displays burgundy variegation along the veins, particularly in the spring and fall, and may turn completely reddish bronze during the winter. In late spring, charming pink-tinged flower buds gracefully change into starry, creamy white flowers on 3-4 in. long racemes (7-10 cm). Borne atop erect stems well above the foliage, their floral show lasts about 6 weeks. Foam Flower is stoloniferous and quickly forms large colonies. A great choice as a groundcover for shaded areas.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm).
  • Performs best in cool, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial shade or full shade. Protect from excessive winter wet.
  • A pretty addition to beds and borders, woodland gardens, cottage gardens. Great as a groundcover or underplanting shrubs and roses.
  • Remove stems of faded flowers and dead leaves.
  • Generally pest and disease free. Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in spring. Propagate by division in spring.
  • Native to eastern North America (Nova Scotia, Appalachian Mountains to Alabama West to Minnesota).

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Saxifragaceae
Genus Tiarella
Common names Foam Flower
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Fall
Height 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, New Jersey, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’ (Foam Flower)
Tiarella ‘Sugar and Spice’ (Foam Flower)
Tiarella ‘Jeepers Creepers’ (Foam Flower)
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ (Foam Flower)
Tiarella ‘Pink Skyrocket’ (Foam Flower)
Tiarella wherryi (Wherry’s Foam Flower)

Recommended Companion Plants

Astrantia major ‘Claret’ (Great Masterwort)
Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ (Cranesbill)
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
30 Great Perennials for Shade
Tiarella (Foam Flower)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Saxifragaceae
Genus Tiarella
Common names Foam Flower
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Fall
Height 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, New Jersey, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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