foamflower Interesting Notes

Introduced by Adam Dunvegan Nursery, Tiarella cordifolia ‘Brandywine’ is rated as one of the most vigorous of the genus. ‘Brandywine’ is a strong grower with glossy, rugose leaves and excellent bronze fall and winter color. The bold, creamy white flowers persist for 6 to 8 weeks, the foliage reaching 8-12” tall or up to 18” tall when in flower. It is a robust clump former, each plant reaching about 10” wide, with some short runners in spring and fall.

Tiarella cordifolia is found in shaded forests, swamps, and wetland margins from Ontario to Minnesota to Tennessee to Georgia. Preferring consistently moist, humus rich soil, foamflower does not like soil drying out or sitting in saturated soils during winter. With no serious pest or disease issues, T. cordifolia does best if planted en masse and spreads rapidly by runners.

Foamflower is a powerful and natural partner in a shade garden embracing spring ephemerals and graceful sedges. We love weaving it along border fronts, naturalistic plantings, shaded rock gardens, or in woodland gardens. A fresh groundcover, even as other items in the woodland garden begin to look tired in the summer, Tiarella cordifolia provides texture and color all year long. The foliage is astringent, usually deterring rabbits and deer from grazing unless they are extremely hungry. Early-season pollinators visit foamflower while other plants are still waking up in the spring.

Tiarella cordifolia 'Brandywine' Growing and Maintenance Tips

Prefers moist, rich organic soils in full to part shade. Stoloniferous and spreads quickly. Propagate by spring division. Makes an excellent groundcover or edging for shady areas.

Good Substitutions

Tiarella cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'

Tiarella cordifolia

Tiarella cordifolia 'Brandywine'

Tiarella 'Elizabeth Oliver'