Foamflower

The spring blooms of foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) have pink buds that open to white flowers.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University

Quick Guide to Growing Foamflower

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Best Soil: Moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter
Sunlight: Part to Full Shade
Watering: Water regularly, not drought tolerant
Care Tips: Avoid planting in waterlogged soil
Blooming: Flower spikes appear in early to mid-spring

Introduction

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a wildflower native to the woodlands of eastern North America. Its range extends from Canada to the southeastern United States and as far west as Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Mississippi. Foamflower is in the Saxifragaceae family, which also includes coral bells (Heuchera spp.), false goat’s beard (Astilbe spp.), and pigsqueak (Bergenia). This perennial is evergreen in its southern range, and in the fall and winter, its foliage often turns hues of burgundy and bronze.

Foamflower Bloom Time & Appearance

Foamflowers begin blooming in early spring along the coast (mid-March) and continue through mid-spring elsewhere in the state. Clouds of foamy white to pink flowers that rise above the foliage give these plants their common name. They continue to put on their show for 4 to 6 weeks before fading. However, their evergreen foliage creates an interesting and eye-pleasing display in the woodland garden throughout the year.

Landscape Uses for Foamflowers

Foamflowers are relatively low growers, reaching 6 to 12 inches in foliage height. Their short stature makes them suitable for small groupings or mass plantings in the woodland garden. Combine foamflowers with other shade lovers such as hostas, ferns, Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum spp.), dwarf crested iris, and coral bells (Heuchera spp.). Add shade-tolerant spring flowering bulbs for a spring flower display. Wood hyacinths (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and daffodils planted in between clumps of foamflowers will add seasonal color. Foamflowers also flourish in outdoor containers.

How to Grow Foamflowers

Foamflowers are found in nature on the banks of streams and in moist woodland conditions. These spring bloomers grow best in moderate to full shade (with morning sun only). Foamflowers prefer moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range. Water them regularly during the growing season to ensure the soil stays moist. They seldom require fertilizing once established. Plants are hardy in USDA planting zones 4 to 9.

Common Pests & Problems of Foamflower

Foamflowers have relatively few pest and disease issues. Slugs and snails are the primary pest problem reported. For more information on slugs and snails, see HGIC 2357 Snails and Slugs in the Home Garden.

Foamflowers prefer evenly moist conditions, and established plants will tolerate only brief periods of drought. Foamflowers do not tolerate wet feet, so the planting site must be well-drained. Phytophthora root rot may become a problem in poorly drained clay soils.

How to Propagate Foamflower

Propagate by dividing clumps of foamflowers in late fall. Alternately, rooted runners can be dug and replanted immediately. Foamflowers may be started from seed. Seeds germinate quickly, but seedlings may be slow-growing. For more information on dividing perennials, see HGIC 1150 Dividing Perennials.

Foamflower Species

There is one species of foamflower native to eastern North America, Tiarella cordifolia. Foamflowers are distinguished by placing them into groupings, such as Tiarella cordifolia var. cordifolia, T. cordifolia var. collina and T. cordifolia var. austrina based on whether they have stolons, the shape of the leaves, and whetherthere are leaves on the flowering stems.

Alleghany foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia var. cordifolia)

Alleghany foamflower is characterized by dense clumps of heart-shaped foliage, often with dark burgundy patches on the leaves and white to pale pink flowers. It spreads by aboveground runners called stolons.

Wherry’s foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia var. collina) (synonym T. wherryi) Wherry’s foamflower forms clumps without runners. It has more deeply lobed foliage that resembles fig, oak, or maple leaves.

Alleghany foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia var. cordifolia) is characterized by dense clumps of heart shaped foliage.
Joey Williamson, ©2005 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Wherry’s foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia var. collina) has a clumping growth habit and does not spread by runners.
Joey Williamson, ©2008 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Heartleaf foamflower (T. cordifolia var. austrina)

Heartleaf foamflower has green maple-like leaves and spreads by stolons. It is native to the mountains of northwest South Carolina and the southern Blue Ridge of southwest North Carolina.

Asian foamflower (T. polyphylla)

Asian foamflower is native to China, Japan, and the Himalayas. It resembles the Alleghany foamflower in appearance, but trials in Georgia indicate it does not perform as well. Likewise, in Georgia trials, the western foamflower was less tolerant of the heat and humidity of the South than the eastern species.

Popular Foamflower Cultivars

Many cultivars of the eastern native foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) are available. They have pink buds that open to white flowers in spring unless otherwise noted.

Clumping Types of Foamflower

‘Brandywine’ is a clumping type with large heart-shaped foliage with red venation. The foliage turns bronze in the fall.
‘Oakleaf’ is a clumping type with oak leaf-shaped leaves. New leaves that emerge in spring are bronze, and the fall color is burgundy. The flowers are light pink. It was selected for heat and humidity tolerance.

Running Types of Foamflower

‘Appalachian Trail’ is a vigorous running type of foamflower. It has green leaves with a burgundy splatter pattern along the veins.
‘Happy Trails’ is a vigorous running type that can reach 36 inches wide. Its green leaves have a dark venation pattern.
‘Running Tapestry’ is a running type with maple-like foliage and red veins. Its foliage turns burgundy in the fall.

Solar Eclipse foamy bells (xHeucherella ‘Solar Eclipse’) is a cultivar of a cross between the genus Tiarella and the genus Heuchera.
Ginger E Long, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Foamflower Hybrids & Heucherella

Numerous hybrids of foamflower have been produced by crossbreeding the native eastern species (T. cordifolia) with the western US species (T. trifoliata) or the Asian foamflower (T. polyphylla). These hybrids feature many interesting plays on leaf color and shape. These clumping types have pink buds that open to white flower spikes in spring unless otherwise noted. Some examples include:

Foamflower Hybrids

‘’Cutting Edge’ has medium green leaves with large purple centers.
‘Elizabeth Oliver’ has maple-like leaves with burgundy veins.
‘Pink Skyrocket’ has abundant pink flowers in spring. The green foliage has a dark center and is dissected similar to a Japanese maple leaf.
‘Spring Symphony’ has pale pink blooms on tall flower spikes.
‘Sugar and Spice’ has pink and white flowers in spring.

Foamy Bells (x Heucherella cultivars)

Horticulturists have created intergeneric crosses between Heuchera (coral bells) and Tiarella (foamflowers) to create heucherellas (x Heucherella), or foamy bells. These clumping plants inherit foliage colors from Heuchera and leaf shapes from Tiarella. In spring, pink or white flowers bloom above the foliage. There are numerous cultivars available today.

Additional Resources:

Originally published 05/10

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