Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a shade-tolerant native perennial that produces airy sprays of small white to pale pink flowers in late spring. The flowers appear in loose, spreading clusters above a basal rosette of deeply lobed, heart-shaped leaves. Foamflower’s name is derived from the appearance of its flowers, which resemble foam floating over the leaves. This graceful plant is a wonderful choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized areas where it can spread to form a soft, green groundcover.

Do Foam flowers have big flowers?

The flowers are tiny, but abundant, with five star-shaped petals each. They bloom in airy spikes above the foliage and move easily in the breeze, adding a delicate charm to the garden. The blooms are not long-lived, but they attract bees and other early-season pollinators. After the flowers fade, the foliage remains attractive throughout summer and often into fall, when it may develop a pink or reddish cast.

Foamflower is a relatively low-maintenance perennial, as long as it is grown in rich, humusy soil with plenty of moisture. It is well-suited to part to full shade, and can be planted under trees, with ferns, or in other naturally shaded areas. It slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes to form attractive colonies. The creeping habit and attractive foliage also make it a good choice for suppressing weeds in shady areas.

The foliage is also a beautiful feature of this plant. The basal rosettes of deeply lobed, heart-shaped leaves often have a subtly patterned surface that adds interest and texture. In addition to the blooms, the foliage provides color and structure in shady garden beds long after the flowers have faded. Foamflower makes an excellent companion plant for other native shade lovers such as wild ginger, trilliums, bloodroot, and jack-in-the-pulpit. These native woodland flowers and perennials can be combined in naturalistic plantings that reflect the beauty of the forest floor.

Why do gardeners love Foam flowers?

Gardeners appreciate foamflower for its airy blooms, attractive foliage, and easy-going nature. It is deer-resistant, hardy, and long-lived, making it a good choice for low-maintenance woodland gardens. With its creeping habit and ability to naturalize in shady areas, it also provides both beauty and groundcover in one plant.

Foamflower is a great choice for gardeners seeking a plant that has subtle, natural beauty as well as ecological benefits. The airy flowers and textured foliage are a standout in woodland gardens and shaded borders, adding a quiet charm to the landscape.