Foam Flower

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Perennial

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region

Cultivation

A 6-8" groundcover plant with white flowers and sometimes variegated leaves.
Light: shade to part shade
Moisture and Soil: dry to moist well-drained soil

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: Store seeds dry. Germinates at 70 degrees after 60-90 days cold/moist stratification. Leave seeds uncovered or barely cover with soil.

Biocultural value

Foamflower had a number of uses for the Haudenosaunee, many of them specific to babies and small children. The Micmac and Malecite both used the roots as a remedy against diarrhea.

The statements above were sourced from:

Native American Ethnobotany Database: http://naeb.BRIT Native American Ethnobotany Database.org/

Wildlife value

Foamflower is probably pollinated by a wide range of insects, including bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies (Fields and Brzeskiewicz. 2002). White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and deer mice (P. maniculatus) eat foamflower seeds.

Fields, Douglas, and Marjory Brzeskiewicz. “Conservation Assessment for Heart-Leaved Foam-Flower (Tiarella Cordifolia).” USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region, December 22, 2002. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm91_054112.pdf., Illinois Wildflowers

Climate change sensitivity

Over the period from 1986 to 2015, Tiarella cordifolia bloomed an average of 6.8 days earlier.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Coy Glen, McDaniel Meadow, Woods, and Swamp, McLean Bogs, Eames Bog, Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area, Ringwood Ponds, Tarr-Young Preserve

Special characteristics

Foamflower is an excellent shade garden plant with many commercial cultivars reflecting the natural diversity of leaf pattern and shape.

Status

L4|S5|G5