Tiarella cordifolia - L.

Common Name

Foamflower, Heartleaf foamflower, Clumping Foamflower

Family

Saxifragaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Rich moist woodlands in the mountains[43, 187].

Range

Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Michigan, Georgia and Virginia.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

Physical Characteristics

Tiarella cordifolia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 3. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Apr to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

USDA hardiness zone : 3-9

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.


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Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Diuretic; Hepatic; Lithontripic; Poultice; Stomachic; Tonic.

The whole plant is diuretic, hepatic, lithontripic and tonic. It is used in the treatment of bladder and liver problems and also indigestion and dyspepsia[4, 61, 244, 257]. An infusion of the root and leaves has been used to help small children put on weight and also as a wash for a baby's sore back[257]. The whole plant is rich in tannin and this is probably the medically active ingredient[222]. A tea made from the leaves is diuretic[222]. It has been used as a mouthwash and as a wash for sore eyes[222, 257]. The tea is held in the mouth to remove a white coating from the tongue[257]. A tea made from the roots is diuretic and is used in the treatment of children with diarrhoea or sore mouths[222, 257]. The crushed roots can be used as a poultice on wounds[257].

Other Uses
Can be used as a ground cover plant[188]. It is rather slow to spread, though, and needs weeding for the first year or so[197]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[208]. This is one of the most attractive and prolific ground cover plants[208].

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in a shady position[200]. Plants are tolerant of deep shade[188]. Prefers a light rich soil[4]. Prefers a woodland soil but succeeds in most soils[1]. Dislikes prolonged winter wet[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. The plant makes a neat edging to a bed[4]. This species has become a weed in some gardens, spreading by means of long stolons[200]. The sub-species T. cordifolia collina has a non-creeping rootstock[187]. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[111]. The plant is quite vigorous and is best divided every second year[4]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Blockhill

Tiarella cordifolia - L.

2 pictures - click to enlarge

Foamflower