Tiarella cordifolia - Foamflower

Family:	Saxifragaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.2
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Michigan, Georgia and Virginia.

Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.2m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Foamflower will flower in October to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Foamflower will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Foamflower prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Foamflower can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Rich moist woodlands in the mountains[43, 187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist humus rich soil in a shady position[200]. Plants are tolerant of deep shade[188]. Prefers a light rich soil[4]. Prefers a woodland soil but succeeds in most soils[1]. Dislikes prolonged winter wet[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. The plant makes a neat edging to a bed[4]. This species has become a weed in some gardens, spreading by means of long stolons[200]. The sub-species T. cordifolia collina has a non-creeping rootstock[187].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is diuretic, hepatic, lithontripic and tonic. It is used in the treatment of bladder and liver problems and also indigestion and dyspepsia[4, 61, 244, 257]. An infusion of the root and leaves has been used to help small children put on weight and also as a wash for a baby's sore back[257]. The whole plant is rich in tannin and this is probably the medically active ingredient[222]. A tea made from the leaves is diuretic[222]. It has been used as a mouthwash and as a wash for sore eyes[222, 257]. The tea is held in the mouth to remove a white coating from the tongue[257]. A tea made from the roots is diuretic and is used in the treatment of children with diarrhoea or sore mouths[222, 257]. The crushed roots can be used as a poultice on wounds[257].

• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Hepatic - Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
• Lithontripic - Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[111]. The plant is quite vigorous and is best divided every second year[4]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Can be used as a ground cover plant[188]. It is rather slow to spread, though, and needs weeding for the first year or so[197]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[208]. This is one of the most attractive and prolific ground cover plants[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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