Tiarella wherryi – Tiarella cordifolia var. collina – Foamflower –

Description

Tiarella – Foamflower – There are 5-7 rhizomatous herbaceous perennials in the Saxifrage family and resemble their relatives Heuchera, in this genus. They are found on the forest floor from woodland and stream banks in Eastern Asia and North America. The mainly basal, ovate to heart shaped or rounded, toothed, sometimes long stalked leaves are simple or palmately 3 to 5 lobed, occasionally 7 lobed, or palmate, they are pale to mid green, often turning shades of reddish copper in autumn and winter, and have conspicuous veins and sparse bristly hairs. The tiny, star shaped, airy, fluffy, white or pinkish white flowers, up to ½” across, are borne in terminal panicles or racemes   over a long period from spring to summer. Grow as a groundcover in woodland garden or shady border. T. cordifolia spreads freely. Grow ideally in cool, moist, humus rich soil, although they tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Provide deep or partial shade. Protect from excessive winter moisture. Divide in early spring. Prone to rust and slugs. T. wherryi – T. cordifolia var. collina – This compact, slow growing, clump forming almost evergreen perennial from Eastern USS grows 8″ tall and 6-8″ wide. It is with out stolons. It produces hairy, ovate, sharply 3 lobed, maroon tinted, pale green leaves, to 5 ½” long, heart shaped at the base and turn crimson in fall. White, sometimes soft pink tinged star shaped flowers are borne in slender, spike like racemes, 6-14″ long, in late spring and early summer. Prefer moist shade. Zones 3-7