Tiarella Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 28th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Tiarella plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Tiarella is known for its starry white or pink blooms and attractive maple-like foliage. Its delicate appearance helps add a touch of elegance to shaded gardens.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: These plants flourish in partial to full shade and prefer a moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
- General Care: Consistently water plants, especially in dry periods. Deadheading spent blooms promotes further flowering and also keeps plants looking tidy.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Foamflower is low maintenance making it great for beginners. Protect from hot afternoon sun for more vibrant foliage and blooms.
Foam flower, Coolwort, & Laceflower: Cultivation & Garden Use
Tiarella are hardy perennial woodland plants that range from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) in height.
They have heart shaped green leaves that change in color to red in the autumn.
Tiarella (Foamflower) by Matleena Laakso.
Tiarella plants come into bloom from late in spring through to early summer, when they carry feathery white flowers on spikes.
A common name for Garden Tiarella is the Foam Flower.
How to Grow Tiarella species such as Foam Flower
Tiarella are usually first be grown in flats, where they can be sown in either the autumn or spring. The seeds should be sown on the surface.
If planting in flats in the autumn, then sink the flat in a shady area, cover in glass, and keep the soil moist. Bring indoors for the winter when it starts to get very cold.
If starting Tiarella plants in the spring, then first imbibe seeds by putting the flat in a black bag, then placing in the fridge for three weeks. Next sink the flat into a shady part of the garden, cover with glass and keep moist.
Once young foam flower seedlings appear remove the glass and allow to grow in situ; transplant the seedlings to their final location in the autumn.
The Tiarella plant can grow in either shady or partially shaded areas and likes a cool acidic soil (pH 5 to 6), that is rich, well drained, and moist.
The plants should be spaced from 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) apart (small Tiarella) to 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) apart (larger varieties).
Caring for Tiarella
It is fairly easy to look after Foam Flowers and other Tiarella, they are woodland plants so enjoy a cool moist soil. Ideally, apply a wood chip mulch to help maintain soil moisture and coolness, and water regularly.
If you require more plants then they can be propagated by division in the spring.
Commonly Grown Tiarella Species
Tiarella cordifolia
Tiarella cordifolia (Heartleaved Foamflower / False Miterwort / Coolwort), photograph by Charles de Mille-Isles; CC.
Tiarella trifoliata
Tiarella trifoliata (Threeleaf foamflower), photograph by Leslie Seaton; CC.
Tiarella polyphylla
Tiarella polyphylla (Foam Flower), picture by Virginia State Parks; CC.
-
Seed Success: Start Strong with this Ultimate Seed Starter Kit
Elevate your gardening game today by securing your Reusable Seed Starter Tray Kit. Get this must-have for any gardening enthusiast on Amazon and give your seedlings the head start they deserve. Embark on your journey to a bountiful harvest with confidence.
-
Garden Mastery: Unleash Your Potential with the Essential Tool Set
Boost your gardening with the CHRYZTAL Gardening Tool Set. Get this essential kit on Amazon for effortless gardening. A good set of tools is key to a thriving garden; make every cut count. Cultivate with ease and watch your garden flourish.
Tiarella Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Foam flower, Coolwort, Laceflower, Sugar-scoop, False miterwort.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
- Height: 12 to 20 inches (30—50 cm).
- Native: North America, Asia.
- Growing Region: Zones 3 to 8.
- Flowers: Late spring through to early summer.
- Flower Details: White. Small. Feathery. Star-shaped. Terminal spikes.
- Foliage: Herbaceous. Pale-green becoming bronze-red in the autumn. Cordate or tri-palmate-lobed.
- Sowing: Surface. Germination time: two weeks to three months. Spacing 6 to 20 inches (15—50 cm).
Seed: Method 1: Seeds should first be sown into flats in the autumn. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist. Bring the flats indoor at the beginning of spring and keep at 50°F (10°C). Transplant seedlings outdoors following the last frost.
Seed: Method 2: In the spring, sow seeds on a moist growing medium in flats, wrap in a large plastic bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Next bury the flat as described above. Transplant seedlings to their final location in the autumn. - Requirements and care: Full or partial shade. Good drainage. Acidic soil pH 5 to 6. Cool, rich soil. Mulch. Regular watering during dry periods. Propagate: by dividing at the start of spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas.
- Family: Saxifragaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Saxifraga, Mitella, Rodgersia, and Astilbe.
- Miscellaneous: The genus derives its name from the Greek word for turban (Tiara) and relates to its unequal seedpods.
Common Questions
How many members does the Tiarella genus have?
The Tiarella genus, commonly known as Foamflower, includes about 7 species.
Do members of Tiarella make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Tiarella species are excellent garden plants, prized for their attractive foliage and delicate white or pink flowers. They're perfect for shady woodland gardens or as groundcovers.
Which Tiarella species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Tiarella cordifolia, known as Heartleaf Foamflower, is the most commonly grown species in gardens.
Are members of the Tiarella plant genus fragrant?
Tiarella plants are not typically fragrant, but their charming blooms and decorative leaves make them a garden favorite.
What is the perfect location to grow Tiarella?
Tiarella prefers a partially shaded location with moist, well-drained soil. It's a great choice for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
Is Tiarella invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Tiarella is not known to be invasive in the USA. Always check local guidelines for the most accurate information.
How do I remove Tiarella plants from my garden?
To remove Tiarella, uproot the entire plant, making sure to remove all roots to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Tiarella plant genus belongs to the family Saxifragaceae. This genus is composed of around six to seven species of herbaceous perennials native to the woodlands of North America and Asia.
For successful growth, Tiarella prefers shady conditions and moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. They can be propagated by seed in the autumn or by division in the spring. The plants are known for their charming white or pink flowers and their deeply cut leaves.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Tiarella plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Rodgersia and Bergenia plants.
Elevate Your Gardening Game
Weekly Growing & Care Guides for Your Inbox!
Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.
Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.
Genus Index T
