Tiarella stolonifera
creeping foamflower
Overview
Tiarella stolonifera is a stoloniferous, semi-evergreen perennial of eastern North America, forming a groundcover 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall in foliage and spreading by runners to 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. The heart-shaped leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, lobed and toothed, mid-green and often marked with dark veins, taking on bronze tones in cold weather. In spring, slender stems 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) tall carry narrow spikes of tiny white to pale pink flowers whose long stamens give the cluster a foamy texture. The plant runs along the ground by stolons, rooting at the nodes to form broad colonies, which can overrun smaller neighbors in time. It grows in moist, humus-rich woodland soils in part to full shade. Bloom lasts several weeks in mid to late spring. Leaf scorch develops where soil dries or sun is too strong.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, occurring in moist woodlands from the Appalachian region north into the northeastern states and adjacent Canada.Suggested Uses
Used as a shade groundcover, in woodland borders, and along shaded paths. It combines with ferns, hostas, and Heuchera spp. in low-light plantings. The spreading habit suits filling shaded ground beneath shrubs and trees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open from April to May, on upright stems above the foliage. The narrow spikes hold many small white to pale pink flowers with prominent stamens. Bloom lasts 3-5 weeks, with scattered later flowers in cool sites.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pinkFoliage Description
mid-green with dark veins, bronze in winterGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Consistent moisture keeps foliage in good condition, while dry soil or strong sun causes leaf scorch. Established plants spread steadily by stolons and need little care beyond an annual mulch of leaf mold. Crowded colonies can be divided in spring or fall to renew them. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Foliage is largely evergreen in mild winters and tattered by spring in cold ones.Pruning
Spent flower stems are removed after bloom to tidy the planting. Damaged or winter-worn leaves are cut away in early spring as new growth begins. Runners are trimmed to keep colonies within bounds.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons