Tiarella cordifolia – Native Gardens of Blue Hill

Etymology

Tiarella is from the Greek meaning headdress and refers to the shape of the pistil; cordifolia is Latin for heart-shaped leaves.

Native Habitat

Forests, swamps and wetland margins.

Garden Uses

Ground cover in shade or part sun.

Overview

Tiarella cordifolia is a small, delicate clump forming or running perennial that spreads rapidly from underground stolons forming 1- 2’ clumps. This plant flourishes in rich, moisture-retentive soils in shady sites and clump forming individuals can also be massed to form a ground cover.

Leaves and Stems

The puckered maple-like leaves with heart-shaped bases may have red or purple veins and can be up to 4” wide with toothed lobes. The foliage is often evergreen and may take on a bronze tint in fall and winter.

Flowers

The small star-shaped white flowers in compact racemes are borne on 6 - 12” stalks. The white flowers emerge from pinkish buds in spring and persist for about 6 weeks. The long slender stamens give the plant a frothy appearance and consequently the common name of Foamflower.

Fruit/Seed

Small lopsided capsule that splits into two segments full of shiny black seeds. The plants begin to produce seed barely a week after the first flowers begin to wither.

Animal Associates

Bees, flies, moths and butterflies visit the flowers. The foliage is sometimes browsed by deer.

Propagation

Propagation is easiest by dividing the runners or crowns in fall or spring. Plant the divisions about a foot apart. Seeds collected from mature fruits can be planted immediately or sown in the spring. Germination is high, but the seedlings grow slowly.

Ethnobotanical Uses

It has been used by herbalists as a tonic and a diuretic, aiding with kidney and live problems and congestion and by Native Americans to cure a variety of ailments.

Garden Location

Performance Hall Garden, West Woods (see garden map)

Anecdotal Information

There seem to be two types of plants, those that form clumps and those that spread by runners. Ask about the habit or observe carefully when obtaining new plants.