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Tiarella cordifolia - L.

Common Name Foamflower, Heartleaf foamflower, Clumping Foamflower
Family Saxifragaceae
USDA hardiness 3-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich moist woodlands in the mountains[43, 187].
Range Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Michigan, Georgia and Virginia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower, Heartleaf foamflower, Clumping Foamflower


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-Man
Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower, Heartleaf foamflower, Clumping Foamflower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-Man

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Tiarella cordifolia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Hepatic  Lithontripic  Poultice  Stomachic  Tonic

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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

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].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. 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]. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 7 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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