Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers dappled sun to deep shade. Frothy white-pink flower wands over patterned heart-shaped foliage. Acidic shade requirement.
On the CSU listmedium water6–12 in tall and 12–18 in wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Tiarella cordifolia
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Running Tapestry', 'Sugar and Spice'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 6–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in dappled sun; tolerates deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- white, pink
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations, Dry shade under conifers
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Foamflower as a groundcover
Foamflower spreads steadily. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds.
Planting & establishment
Acidic moist soil required, amend our alkaline clay heavily.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Foamflower good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Foamflower is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Foamflower get?
- It matures to about 6–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Foamflower?
- Space Foamflower about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Foamflower hardy on the Front Range?
- Foamflower is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Foamflower need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Foamflower native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Foamflower deer-resistant?
- Foamflower is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Foamflower a good firewise plant near the house?
- Foamflower is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Foamflower?
- Foamflower isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Can Foamflower replace a lawn?
- Yes, Foamflower works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Foamflower spread or stay put?
- Foamflower is spreading. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Foamflower stay green in winter?
- Foamflower keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
