How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Tiarella

If you have a shady garden site, it doesn’t get much better than a native woodland plant with striking foliage and lovely sprays of delicate flowers. Tiarella, Greek for “little crown,” is a princess in the shade without the high maintenance. Given consistent moisture and a shady spot to grow, this plant enchants with multi-season interest and easy care.

Tiarella features lobed leaves in unique shapes and colorful patterns for high texture and contrast. For weeks in the spring, airy blooms on wanding spires create a cloud of pinks and whites above mounded foliage. Also called foamflower, these low-growing perennials are ideal as a groundcover or specimen planting, especially in groupings. Here, we’ll cover how to grow these petite beauties for dynamic interest in the shade. 

What is Tiarella?

Tiarella is an herbaceous perennial with colorful foliage and delicate flower sprays that thrive in the shade garden. These low-growing perennials spread through runners (stolons) or clumps to create a small colony. Plants have a spreading or mounding habit and form a textural ground cover. 

There are seven or eight acknowledged species native to the United States and Asia. Some taxonomists characterize North American species into sub-varieties based on leaf, stem, and runner characteristics. Tiarella is in the same family as huechera (Saxifragaceae) and carries its resemblance along with that of tellima, and mitella. This plant hybridizes readily with heuchera; the offspring of the two plants, heucherella, is another fantastic garden performer.

This is a tidy, compact plant with mounded foliage. At only about one to three feet high and two feet wide, foamflower makes lovely accents in woodland plantings, borders, wildflower and pollinator gardens, naturalistic arrangements, moist areas, and mass plantings. Pair it with other shade-loving perennials like hosta, ferns, astilbe, hellebore, epimedium, and Solomon’s seal for gorgeous multi-season combinations. Underplant tiarella with spring-flowering bulbs; its foliage will conceal fading bulbs late in the season.

These low-maintenance plants tolerate deep shade, which is a garden location other plants find challenging. They’re durable perennials with all-season appeal, and numerous cultivars in an array of leaf and flower colors bring excitement to any shady garden spot.

Characteristics

Tiarella features attractive heart-shaped and maple-leaf leaves in exciting colors and patterns. Semi-glossy foliage turns red to burgundy with the cool temperatures of fall and winter, extending garden interest.

The foliage is a striking feature, with deeply lobed, colorful leaves lasting into winter in many environments. Plants are evergreen in areas with mild climates and semi-evergreen or deciduous in colder regions, depending on winter conditions and temperatures.

In addition to foamflower’s unique leaves, their petite, starry flowers emerge in spring and early summer from deep pink buds and last for about six weeks or longer, with some newer cultivars blooming for months. Wiry stems rise 12 inches above the foliage with spires of packed flowers in white, coral, pink, and lavender. 

Each little flower has long stamens that give the floral structure a foamy, frothy appearance. The tiny blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators as a food source.

Tiarella grows with little gardener intervention. These carefree beauties resist deer, rabbits, pests, and diseases and tolerate deep shade.

Native Area

Tiarella cordifolia and Tiarella trifoliata are native to North America. T. cordifolia grows in eastern regions from Nova Scotia, along the Appalachian Mountains states, and west to Minnesota and Alabama. T. trifoliata grows on the West coast from Alaska to Southern California and inland to Montana. Tiarella polyphylla occurs naturally in Asia. 

Extensive foamflower cultivars and hybrids entered the gardening market over the last few decades, and their availability brings exciting varieties to the home garden.

Native habitats include deciduous woodlands and mountainous regions. They grow in well-draining bottomlands and moist areas along stream banks.

Planting

Tiarella and its spreading rhizomes gradually form a clump. When planting, space plants at least 12 inches apart and as much as three feet to allow room for spreading, depending on the variety.

It makes a beautiful container planting. It requires a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter, dappled light or shade, and regular moisture.

Transplanting 

Like most perennials, tiarella can be planted year-round, with the best conditions generally in spring and fall. Cool temperatures and seasonal moisture give plants time to establish before winter and summer temperature fluctuations. For the least stress on the new plant, avoid frozen or waterlogged conditions and extreme heat or drought periods.

How to Grow

These are carefree, unfussy plants with low maintenance requirements. Even so, specific cultural requirements, like regular moisture and dappled light, are best for optimal health and flowering.

Light

Foamflower grows best in dappled light to light shade. It also handles deep shade and grows better in full shade than its heuchera relative.

Tiarella can grow in the morning sun with partial to full afternoon shade. Plants need protection from direct afternoon rays that scorch and burn leaves.

Water

Tiarella needs regular water to thrive. Plants don’t withstand periods of drought, and though they’re somewhat more resistant once established, moist soils are best.

Even moisture ensures foamflower’s overall health and vigor; soil should not dry between waterings. Avoid overly wet and soggy conditions, too, as they lead to root and crown rot.

When growing in pots, make sure the containers are well-draining. Check on potted tiarellas often during the warm season, as containers dry out faster than ground soils and need water more frequently. Reduce watering sessions in the fall when the active growing season slows. Water in the winter only when the soil feels dry to the touch (every two to three weeks or so, if needed).

Soil

Tiarellas prefer organically rich, neutral to slightly acidic soils with a pH less than 6.8. Foamflower thrives in fertile, well-draining soils with even moisture—think of a humusy woodland floor.

This woodland plant doesn’t do well in heavy or wet soils; organic material added to the native soil gives it a head start. At planting, add compost from completely broken-down plant material, especially in poor soils like clay and sand. 

Compost helps with aeration, moisture retention, drainage, and nutrition. Adding a compost layer to the garden bed or container each spring refreshes these benefits for the growing season.

Temperature and Humidity

Tiarella tolerates a range of summer and winter temperatures. It is a cold-hardy perennial in USDA zones 3-8. In colder winter climates, plants are semi-evergreen or deciduous, remaining evergreen with mild winter temperatures.

Plants in containers benefit from protection from cold winter winds. Overwinter pots in a sheltered space like a garage or basement for best success.

Foamflower grows in regions with heat and humidity (zones 8-9), provided there is plenty of air circulation and the soil is moist but not overly wet.

Fertilizing

With rich, fertile soils, tiarella doesn’t require additional fertilizers to thrive. They’ll benefit from fresh compost in the ground and containers each spring. Potted plants are heavier feeders and need a liquid or slow-release granule organic fertilizer. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer of your choice in early spring before new growth emerges.

Maintenance

Tiarellas’ few maintenance needs are another beautiful quality, in addition to their dramatic foliage and showy flowers. They grow happily for years without division. To expand the colony, divide plants after a few years.

Deadhead spent flower stalks to improve the overall look of the plant post-bloom, encouraging healthy foliage. If mature leaves get worn and ragged after seasons of weather, cut back or sheer plants in late winter before new growth emerges. 

Propagation

Tiarella propagates easily through plant division and growing from seed (with patience). Since foamflower is a clump-forming perennial, its runners divide readily. Rooted sections transplant easily.

Division

Tiarella doesn’t require dividing, but over the long term, it prevents overcrowding and promotes air circulation. After three seasons of growing, mature plants are ready for division. This allows you to expand the collection with new plantlets. Additionally, rooted sections of runners can be cut, dug, and replanted at any time.

Divide plants after flowering or in early fall. Dig the plant and wash off soil from the roots. Separate rooted segments from the mother plant by pulling them apart or using a spade or serrated blade. Plant the new divisions in your desired garden spots, keeping them well-watered until established. 

Small divisions benefit from winter protection. Consider growing tender new plants in a protected cold frame or container for overwintering before transplanting to the garden in spring.

Growing From Seed

Grow from seed by collecting fresh seeds and cold-stratify them in growing media in a refrigerator for two to three months. Directly sow them in a prepped garden area, covering them lightly with soil. Or collect and store seeds until planting them the following spring. Seeds germinate quickly after the cold period (within a month), but seedlings grow slowly.

Some selections are self-sterile, so you’ll need to plant more than one species or cultivar for cross-pollination. Seeds mature four to six weeks after the first flowers, beginning at the base of the bloom spike up to the top. Mature pods are brown and open to reveal small black seeds.

Seeding is easy, though it is a process for the patient gardener. Seeds won’t be true to type, as most tiarellas are hybrids, but it’s an easy and fun way to expand the foamflower selection.

Popular Varieties

You can’t go wrong with any tiarella selection for your shade garden, but the fun is choosing which colorful leaf pattern and form to feature. Plant foamflower in groupings for the most impact in the garden bed, or feature them as a singular specimen or complementary planting in a container. Their compact form makes them versatile for a variety of garden locations.

‘Neon Lights’

‘Neon Lights’ thrills with bright green leaves punctuated with chocolatey-purple feathered centers. The dramatic markings bring high contrast among textural maple-shaped leaves.

Pinkish-white flowers appear in spring on stalks that reach 16” tall, wanding above foliage. A bonus: they lightly rebloom.

‘Neon Lights’ is a clump-forming variety, reaching about one to two feet wide and growing eight inches to one foot tall. ‘Neon Lights’ is hardy in zones 4-9.

‘Heronswood Mist’

This dainty foamflower is a naturally occurring selection from China. It features fuzzy, lightly lobed bright green leaves and light pink flower spires on pink stems in spring. The “misty” leaves have a dusting of creamy speckles with pink tinges that intensify in cool weather.

Diminutive plants average six to eighteen inches tall and six to nine inches wide, with coral-pink stems rising well above mounding foliage.

‘Heronswood Mist’ has a lesser hardiness range than North American tiarella selections, hardy in zones 4-9. 

‘Spring Symphony’

‘Spring Symphony’ is a long-blooming type with tall, fragrant bloom spikes above lush mounding foliage. Pink buds on rosy stems open to delicate pink-white flowers. Deeply lobed, olive-green leaves have dark purple central veins and midribs. 

‘Spring Symphony’ is a clump-forming hybrid foamflower hardy in zones 4 to 9. Plants reach six inches to one foot tall with the same spread.

Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’ is a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient. These floriferous beauties bring a showy flower display and colorful leaves to the shade planting.

Common Problems

Tiarella is free of most pests and diseases. However, it may occasionally be affected by slugs, vine weevils, slugs and snails, rot, rust, and powdery mildew. The best control is prevention through maintaining optimal cultural requirements. Attracting beneficial insects to the garden helps manage most pests and promotes biodiversity.

Pests

The best way to control insects is to spot them early. You’ll likely see the insects themselves or notice their sticky waste on plants, nibble damage, yellowing leaves, or stunted growth.

Vine weevils are a group of beetles that feed on plant roots in the grub stage and on leaves in the adult stage. The adults may eat and burrow in plant crowns, causing the plants damage and stress. The grubs are less likely to be a problem with in-ground plantings than container specimens, but their root damage impacts the plants, leading to weakness and an inability to thrive.

Slugs and snails may be unwelcomed foamflower visitors, though they generally don’t severely damage the plants. Set beer or soda traps (dishes of beer or Coke that entice the slugs for a swim) at soil level, or manually pick off the pests in the morning if you see damage.

If you detect insect infestation, spray the plant with a strong stream of water to deter and knock insects off the stems. For vine weevils, try shaking the plants gently at dusk over newspaper or cardboard to displace the insects for removal. A simple horticultural soap can rid the plant of insects, but follow label directions, as these also affect beneficial insects. 

Diseases

As with pests, the best disease control is prevention through cultural conditions. In general, remove problem plants from the garden to minimize chemical treatments and promote the health of surrounding plants. Common fungal diseases may be an issue in overly wet or humid conditions in hot climates.

Botrytis is a fungal disease especially prevalent in high-humidity conditions with limited air circulation. Brown spots and “fluffy mold” are indicators of botrytis. Take care not to overwater or overfertilize, which weakens the plant.

Phytophthora root and crown rot are fungal diseases that cause a slow decline in plants. They impact feeder roots, preventing them from uptaking water and nutrients. The best control is proper cultural management, especially not overwatering.

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease indicated by a gray-white powdery substance on leaves, stems, and buds. Leaves may distort and drop.

Rust occurs in hot, humid summer climates. Powdery rust-colored spores appear on the undersides of yellowing leaves. If you spot rust, cut off the infected leaves. Rust spreads readily, so destroy the infected plant parts. 

Remove and destroy affected plant parts and any dropped leaves if your foamflowers show signs of disease. It’s best to remove plants with severe infestations. Fortunately, tiarella is not often bothered!

Frequently Asked Questions