The short answer

Quick Answer

Foamflower thrives in full shade on most soils (pH 5.5-7), free-draining. Reaches 20 to 30cm tall in flower. plant 30cm apart. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Cut back tired leaves in late winter

How: Shear off dead leaves in February before new growth starts. Remove dead flower spikes

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: North American woodlands

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Tiarella was introduced to British gardens from North America in the 1700s and has been a favourite for woodland gardens ever since

Folklore: Native American peoples used some Tiarella species as a medicinal plant for various complaints

Fun fact: The name Tiarella means 'little turban' in Italian, referring to the shape of the seed pods. The plant is closely related to heuchera, and the two are crossed to make heucherella

Historical medicinal uses: Used in traditional Native American medicine. Not widely used today

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees and hoverflies visit the flowers. The long flower spikes are useful for small solitary bees [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Provides spring nectar and shelter[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 9 out of 10 Flowers April to June. Marbled leaves year round, colouring in winter[4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Plant with ferns, hellebores, heucherella and wood anemones in woodland beds

Pest control: Generally pest free. Watch for vine weevil in pots

Common diseases and issues: Powdery mildew, vine weevil, leaf spot. See RHS powdery mildew advice

Invasive note: Not invasive. Tiarella cordifolia spreads gently by runners; hybrids are clump-forming

CGM care note

We plant tiarella in spring or autumn at 30cm apart in moist humus-rich soil in shade. They are perfect for edging paths in woodland gardens. We shear off tired leaves in February to make room for the new spring growth, and divide congested clumps every 3 to 4 years in spring to keep them vigorous.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Foamflower

How Foamflower fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Hosta (Plantain Lily), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hydrangea, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hardy Garden Ferns, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Astilbe, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hellebores (Lenten Rose), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Foamflower.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Foamflower are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia and Tiarella hybrids). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Foamflower. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Tiarella cordifolia and Tiarella hybrids. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Saxifragaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Soltis DE, Smith SA, Cellinese N, et al. (2011). Angiosperm phylogeny: 17 genes, 640 taxa. American Journal of Botany, 98(4), 704-730.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Saxifragaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, soil_type, drainage.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Foamflower. The pollinator description above ("Bees and hoverflies visit the flowers. The long flower spikes are useful for small solitary bees") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Provides spring nectar and shelter") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Flowers April to June. Marbled leaves year round, colouring in winter".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees and hoverflies visit the flowers. The long flower spikes are useful for small solitary bees"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Foamflower's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Provides spring nectar and shelter") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Foamflower. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Foamflower's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Saxifragaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Foamflower. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Foamflower. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Foamflower. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Foamflower. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Foamflower. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Foamflower. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Foamflower. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Foamflower performs well locally

Towns where Foamflower is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover