Foam Flower

Tiarella cordifolia

Saxifragaceae

Growth Habit

Herbaceous

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.

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.

Location

Fall Creek Gorge, McDaniel Meadow, Woods, and Swamp, Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area, Ringwood Ponds, Steep Hollow Creek, Tarr-Young Preserve, Mundy Wildflower Garden

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

Special characteristics

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

Climate Change Sensitivity

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

Status

L4|S5|G5