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Native Plant Database

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Tiarella cordifolia (Heartleaf foamflower)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Tiarella cordifolia L.

Heartleaf foamflower, Heart-leaf foamflower

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

USDA Symbol: tico

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Long, slender stamens give heart-leaf foamflower’s spikes of white flowers a frothy appearance. The small, star-shaped flowers occur in compact racemes on 6-12 in. stalks rising above a mound of attractive, lobed leaves. The flower stalk lacks leaves in the northeastern part of the plant’s range, but bears heart-shaped leaves in the South. Mature plants send out runners, creating sizeable colonies with time. This is a perennial plant. Small, white flowers are in a feathery, somewhat elongated, terminal cluster.

This attractive wildflower, which spreads by underground stems, forms colonies, and makes excellent groundcover for shady, wooded sites. The tiny flowers and fine texture of the stamens resemble foam and account for the common name. The genus name is from the Greek tiara, designating a turban once worn by the Persians, and refers to the shape of the pistil.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , QC
Native Distribution: N.B. to s. Ont. & MI, s. to GA & MS
Native Habitat: Cool, moist, deciduous woods; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: 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.
Seed Collection: The small black seeds are generally ready for collection about one month after the first flowers open. There will be progressive maturation of seed from the bottom of the stalk to the top. Cleaned seeds should be stored in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: No special treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

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June 13, 2006
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From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Amandas Garden - Springwater, NY
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Tiarella cordifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Tiarella cordifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tiarella cordifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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