Tiarella stolonifera

As the woodlands of northeast Ohio warm in springtime, columns of effervescent white flowers rise from the forest floor. The plant is foamflower, and its spike-like clusters of delicate blooms attain a height of about 1 foot above handsome, maple-like foliage.

Though not an aggressive plant, foamflower spreads rapidly over bare soil via horizontal stems called stolons to form a colony. Following a blooming interval that lasts 3-4 weeks, the plant’s foliage persists throughout the growing season, providing a nice low groundcover. A native of NE Ohio forests, foamflower grows best under part shade to full shade, and in soils of average moisture. In the home landscape, foamflower is perfect for planting in areas with low light availability, such as woodland themed gardens. For a colorful spring display, plant foamflower with Jacob’s ladder and wild geranium.

In terms of pollinator value, foamflower’s blooms primarily attract queen bumble bees, who awaken from their winter slumber in springtime to start their colonies. The bees will collect the foamflower pollen and mix it with nectar and pollen from other plants, making a nutritious meal for their first offspring. Bumble bees are the most social of our native bees, and they are outstanding pollinators. Planting spring-blooming plants like foamflower is critical to enabling the bumble bee queens to get off to a good start.

Photo © Matleena Laakso, CC BY 2.0.