Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower)
Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower)
How many plants do you need?
Calculate plants & flatsEstimate quantities from your planting area and species-appropriate spacing, then round up to whole flats.
Eligible choices for this product:
- 10 Pint Flat
Pre-order — Projected ready date:
Subject to confirmation.
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How much seed do you need?
Calculate seed quantitiesEnter your planting area and the rate for this species, or add species to plan a custom mix.
Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) expresses the viable seed content of a seed lot using its purity and germination or viability test results. It helps you compare seed lots and calculate how much bulk seed is needed to meet a specified PLS planting rate.
PLS weight and bag weight
PLS weight is not the same as the total weight of seed in a bag. For example, a lot with 80% purity and 75% viability contains 60% PLS: 80 × 75 ÷ 100 = 60. Supplying 10 lb PLS from that lot requires about 16.67 lb of bulk seed.
Use the current seed test and the stated basis of the mix specification. Germination calculations may include applicable hard or dormant seed. Seed-count estimates also require the number of seeds per pound; PLS alone does not provide a seed count.
What to check when buying a mix
Check whether each rate is stated in PLS pounds, bulk pounds, or a combination. A mix with both bases should not be described as having an all-PLS total.
PLS does not remove weed seeds or guarantee establishment. Review the seed label and analysis for weed content, and match site preparation, planting conditions and follow-up management to your project.
Sources: USDA NRCS, Understanding Pure Live Seed and The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
0.01 pounds = 0.16 ounces
- 0.1 pounds = 1.6 ounces
- 0.25 pounds = 4 ounces
- 0.5 pounds = 8 ounces
- 0.75 pounds = 12 ounces
- 1.00 pounds = 16 ounces
Foamflower raises pale flower spikes above a low layer of foliage. Slender runners can join the plants into a colony, provided the shaded soil stays moist and rich in organic matter.
Sun exposure for Tiarella cordifolia: filtered sunlight; Deep shade; Partial shade. Soil conditions: well-drained; Moist. Recorded habitats include moist forests; Coves; Well-drained bottomlands. Reported height: 5 in–1 ft.
Growth habit: slender runners produce new plantlets and form colonies. Allow space for this growth between neighboring plants over several seasons, rather than spacing only for the size of a young plant.
Plant specifications
Key growing facts
| Sunlight | Filtered sunlight; Deep shade; Partial shade |
|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Well-drained; Moist |
| Height | 5 in–1 ft |
| Bloom season | Spring; May in the Missouri Botanical Garden account |
Show / hide ▾Growing & planting details
| Growth habit | Slender runners produce new plantlets and form colonies |
|---|---|
| Root form | Short stolons that produce plantlets |
| Soil pH | Prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil |
| Cultivation hardiness zones | Zones 3–8 (Morton Arboretum guidance) |
| Drought tolerance | Drought-intolerant; keep the soil moist |
| Deer browsing | Deer resistance reported in cultivation guidance; browsing remains possible. |
Plant identification & seed reference
| Botanical name | Tiarella cordifolia |
|---|---|
| Other common names | foam flower; False Miterwort; Foamflower |
| Plant family | Saxifragaceae |
Planting, growth & seasonal care
Flowering season: Spring; May in the Missouri Botanical Garden account. Use this timing when planning seasonal interest with the other plants in the bed.
Drought-intolerant; keep the soil moist.
Browsing guidance: Deer resistance reported in cultivation guidance; browsing remains possible.
Use the selected product option to confirm the supply format and quantity. For a mixed planting, calculate the order from the actual species and layout; a plant’s mature height alone does not determine a seed rate or plug spacing.
Show / hide ▾Native range & C-value
GRIN uses the traditional broad foamflower concept, including variety collina. This list describes that source concept; it does not identify the supplied plant within newer split treatments.
State nativity describes a broad range. Use the Chicago-region assessment for local context; a state listing does not establish county nativity.
| Wetland indicator — NWPL 2022 Midwest | FACU |
|---|---|
| C-value — Chicago region, Flora 2017 | 10 |
| Chicago-region native — Flora 2017 | Yes |
| Native range — U.S. states | Native states under the broad GRIN treatment: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin. |
| County nativity | Not yet verified; occurrence records do not establish nativity. |
Show / hide ▾Pollinators & wildlife
Caterpillars recorded on Tiarella — genus-level evidence
These records concern the plant genus Tiarella, not necessarily Tiarella cordifolia. They do not establish a host relationship for every species in the genus, specialist status, or occurrence at your location. The selected insects are listed as native in the source’s North American study area.
Micromoth: Greya punctiferella.
Show / hide ▾Frequently asked questions
What are the ideal growing conditions for Foamflower?
Light: Filtered sunlight; Deep shade; Partial shade. Soil moisture: Well-drained; Moist.
Is Foamflower deer and herbivore resistant?
Deer resistance reported in cultivation guidance; browsing remains possible. Even plants described as resistant may be browsed. Use physical protection where deer damage is a concern.
When should I expect Foamflower to bloom?
Typical flowering period: Spring; May in the Missouri Botanical Garden account. Timing varies with location and weather.
Show / hide ▾Sources & ecological notes
Native range & ecological ratings: Flora of the Chicago Region (2017), via Universal FQA; USACE Chicago FQA (2017); USACE National Wetland Plant List.
Growing conditions & other references: Missouri Botanical Garden; Morton Arboretum; NC State Extension Plant Toolbox.
Wildlife records: Shropshire & Tallamy: caterpillar hosts (2025).
Native range does not identify the origin of the seed or plants offered. Community and wildlife records apply to the locations and conditions described.
Research notes & credits
USACE/ERDC fqadata — Chicago Region FQA 2017. Herman, B., Sliwinski, R. & Whitaker, S. (2017), Chicago Region FQA Calculator; distributed by USACE/ERDC in fqadata under CC0. Values may differ from Flora of the Chicago Region (2017). CC0 dedication. Retained for comparison; the displayed C-value follows Flora database 80.
Additional reference: Open Database License 1.0.
Flora rating attribution: Kenneth Johnson (2018), Flora of the Chicago Region UFQA Database, following Gerould Wilhelm and Laura Rericha (2017), Flora of the Chicago Region: A Floristic and Ecological Synthesis. Individual rating facts are presented with original commentary; the calculator’s software license is not treated as a license for the underlying Flora publication.
Data adapted from Shropshire, K.J. & Tallamy, D.W. (2025), Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico, supplementary material 1. This selected and reformatted host dataset is available under the Open Database License 1.0. No endorsement implied.
Genus-level research records
These records concern the plant genus. They do not establish that each insect feeds on this particular plant species.
| Record ID | Scientific insect name | Common name | Source group | Plant genus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 206512 | Greya punctiferella | micromoth | Tiarella |
Earlier taxonomic comparison: retained taxon source. The current state treatment is described below.
State-range sources: USDA ARS GRIN-Taxonomy — Tiarella cordifolia L.. GRIN uses the traditional broad foamflower concept, including variety collina. This list describes that source concept; it does not identify the supplied plant within newer split treatments.
Parts-of-state qualifications in the source: Wisconsin source lists a county qualification with an internal geographic inconsistency; no county claim is made.
Selected USDA ARS GRIN-Taxonomy facts, accessed through the Plant Gene Bank GRIN-Global mirror on 12 September 2026. These accounts retain older taxonomic treatments; access date does not indicate a new taxonomic revision.
Growing guidance: Illinois Extension — Keeping deer out of the yard and garden. Selected facts in original wording. General deer advice is not a species resistance rating.
Planting references and review
Reviewed: 2026-09-26
Plant spacing:12 inches on center. Planting context: shaded garden groundcover. Choose the planting layout separately; this is a garden reference, not a universal restoration density.
Source: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2076/2024/07/C057-Groundcovers.pdf
Seeding rate: Use a site- and method-specific specification. No verified automatic species rate is supplied.
Seed preparation: A species-specific preparation method and named code system need confirmation for the supplied seed lot.
Plant Shipping & Care
Plant Shipping & Care
We want to ensure that our customers get what they want, a native backyard oasis. To do that, we need to follow a few simple guidelines and give you some information and pointers to make sure you get your plants delivered in a healthy state.
As a reminder, you will receive an email to confirm your pickup or shipping window just before the plants are ready. See Order Fulfillment below for seasonal fulfillment windows.
Choices to Receive Your Plants & Accessories
- Retail online orders: Plant and seed orders ship only, except eligible trees and shrubs offered for pickup. Shipping charges are calculated at checkout.
- Retail pickup — trees and shrubs only: Pickup is available by prior arrangement for eligible woody plants. Some container options are offered for scheduled pickup only. Check the selected product option and the cart pickup instructions before ordering. Pickup and shipped items require separate orders.
- Wholesale orders: Plants, trees and shrubs are available for pickup by arrangement. Delivery can also be arranged for your order. Wholesale pickup is free. All seed orders ship, including wholesale seed.
- Pickup locations and dates are confirmed by email. Please wait for confirmation before traveling to a pickup site. Our offices are not retail stores or nursery pickup locations.
Order Fulfilment - When Your Plants or Other Items Will Be Ready
We take orders all year long and seed is shipped all year, but we only provide the plants to you in certain fulfillment windows to ensure healthy plants.
Wholesale Orders
- Plant pickup and delivery are arranged for your order. Seed ships only.
Retail & Website Orders
- Seed Typically Ships Out Within One Week Of Order All Year Long
- Typically, single species flats ship when ready, sometimes as soon as early to mid-April (depends on weather) through early-October.
- Mixed species kits are batched and shipped as indicated on the product page.
- If a plant order is placed while outside of the plant fulfillment window your plants will be reserved through your payment, however, the order will not be fulfilled and shipped until the following spring. We don't want to provide you plants when they won't be happy during the cold winter months.
- Early in the spring and later in the fall certain species may be dormant or partially dormant with brown leaves, however they will return to grow healthy next growing season.
- Your order may arrive in several different shipments.
- If certain plants within an order will not be available until a later date, we may choose to hold the full order until all are ready. In certain circumstances, we may choose to send them in two separate shipments
- Fulfillment is always dependent upon plant availability. We try our best but sometimes plants do not overwinter well and perish. If a plant is on back order you will receive an email indicating the estimated shipping date. If we can not provide the plant we will first notify you and give you an option of substitution or a refund of that individual species.
- Plants are typically only packaged and shipped on Mondays to ensure they do not sit in the harsh delivery facility for extended periods of time over the weekend. You will receive a confirmation email once your delivery has been shipped and to estimate your delivery date.
- Apparel & accessories are ready typically within one to two weeks. See product page for holiday shipping.
Where We Ship
Natural Communities ships native plants and seed from multiple supplier locations across the Midwest. Shipping coverage extends beyond our local consultation area; see the shipping map below. Availability and delivery options depend on the product and destination. Check the product details and shipping options at checkout, or contact us before ordering if you need help confirming coverage.
Our on-site ecological consulting serves the greater Chicago region and southeastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area. Consultations take place at your property by appointment. Our offices are not walk-in retail stores or plant pickup sites.
What to Expect When Receiving Your Delivery
- Your plants will be packaged with the utmost care
- We will need to cut back certain plants prior to shipping. This seems counter-intuitive, however, the fewer leaves the less water the plants can lose during shipping, resulting in healthier plants for you. This also enables the plants to fit within the protective packaging and shipped safely.
Shipments
- Larger plant shipments will look similar to the picture below with a tray of your plants and a cardboard box to protect them during shipping.
What to Do With Your Plants After Receiving Your Delivery
- Unpack your order IMMEDIATELY
- Inspect for damage and report any issues immediately to Natives@NaturalCommunities.net
- Water your plants
- Install your plants as quickly as possible and water the entire garden area thoroughly
- If you cannot install your plants immediately
- Some plants may not be in a container, put them into some kind of a container such as a paper cup with loose soil until installation
- Make sure each plant is receiving the appropriate amount of light.
- Continue to water daily each morning and possibly again in the afternoon
- No additional fertilizer is needed
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.
