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Tiarella cordifolia 'Brandywine' (Brandywine Foamflower)
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© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Perennials

Tiarella cordifolia 'Brandywine'

Brandywine Foamflower

Saxifragaceae
Garden selection; species native to eastern North America

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
Width12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantFragrant (light)Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Tiarella cordifolia 'Brandywine' is a foamflower selected for the most intense dark vein patterning, growing 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) tall and spreading to 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) by stolons. Green heart-shaped lobed leaves display prominent dark burgundy-red central veins and radiating markings that create a bold painted pattern — more vivid and contrasting than the standard species. White to very pale pink frothy bottlebrush flower spikes in April and May. In fall, the entire leaf turns deep burgundy-red. The stolon-spreading habit creates a patterned ground cover colony. Same cultural needs as the species: moist, humus-rich, acidic shade. Deer avoid the foliage.

Native Range

The species Tiarella cordifolia is native to eastern North America. 'Brandywine' is a garden selection for intense dark vein patterning.

Suggested Uses

Used as a patterned shade ground cover, in woodland gardens, and containers. The most vivid vein patterning makes this the showiest foamflower for foliage interest.

How to Identify

Identified by green heart-shaped leaves with very prominent dark burgundy-red central vein markings — the most intensely patterned foamflower cultivar. White bottlebrush flower spikes in spring. Spreads by stolons.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 10"
Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green
burgundy

Fall Foliage Colors

burgundy
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Flowering in April and May, approximately 4 weeks. White frothy spikes. The patterned foliage is the year-round display.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to very pale pink, in frothy bottlebrush spikes

Foliage Description

Green with prominent dark burgundy-red central veins and markings; burgundy-red fall color

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial ShadeFull Shade
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade. Moist, humus-rich, acidic soil. Keep moist. Spreads by stolons.

Pruning

Remove spent flower spikes. Clean up in early spring.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic