Tiarella cordifolia aka Foam Flower

Tiarella cordifolia, or foamflower, is a small plant of the woods. This perennial belongs to the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae. Sources differ on where its native range ends. Kew gives its range as Maryland to northeastern Georgia. Garden sources give a wider range across eastern North America. It grows in moist woods and sheltered coves. It also grows in bottomlands where water drains away.

Garden plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. Their leafy clumps span 1–2 feet [0.3–0.61 metres]. RHS gives a wider height range, up to 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Thin runners, called stolons, spread along the ground. They form new plants as they grow. Sources differ on how fast these runners spread. Green leaves grow near the ground on long stalks. Each leaf has a heart-shaped base and toothed lobes. Leaves can reach about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres] across. Some leaves have red marks along their veins. Leaves can turn bronze or reddish in fall and winter. They may stay on the plant through mild winters. Fewer leaves stay on when the weather turns colder.

Small flowers rise above the leaves on bare, upright stems. They grow in loose clusters called racemes. Their colors range from white to pink. Long stamens give the blooms a soft, frothy look. Plants bloom between April and June, with timing based on place. Chicago records blooms from May to June. Bees, butterflies, and other insects visit the flowers. Fruits occur in May and June. Most plants cannot form seeds with their own pollen. To form seeds, two plants need distinct sets of genes. Nursery plants grown from cuttings may share the same genes.

Foamflower needs part or full shade and soil that stays moist. It prefers cool soil rich in humus and organic matter. Do not let the soil dry out; drought causes problems. Water must drain well, though the soil needs to stay moist. Too much winter wet can kill plants. Chicago lists USDA zones 3–8, while RHS rates it H5. Gardeners plant it under shrubs and along borders. They also use it in woodland gardens and shaded rock gardens. It suits moist stream edges, too. Groups of plants can form a low ground cover.

The plant needs little care when its growing conditions suit it. Remove old flower stems and damaged leaves to tidy clumps. Divide plants in spring or grow them from seed. Most sources report few pest or disease problems. Black vine weevil can still cause severe damage. Plants resist deer to a moderate degree. Missouri Botanical Garden also lists resistance to rabbits. Plants For A Future records no known food uses or hazards. It reports past uses as medicine, with leaf and root preparations. These records do not show that such uses are safe. Nor do they prove any medical benefit.