Tiarella cordifolia is a charming woodland native with heart shaped leaves and airy white bottlebrush flowers that bloom in spring. Its dense spreading habit and preference for shade make it a valuable groundcover in native and pollinator gardens.
Height & Spread: 6 - 12 in x 12 - 24 in
Bloom Time: April to June
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Rich, humus filled woodland soil; well drained but moisture retentive
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers evenly moist conditions
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant due to slightly hairy foliage
Native Status
Native to eastern North America, particularly woodland areas from Canada to the southeastern United States. It is an ecologically important species for shade habitat restoration.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts spring flying butterflies such as Spring Azure and Juvenal’s Duskywing.
Bees
- Provides early season nectar for native sweat bees, small carpenter bees, and bumblebees.
Hummingbirds
- May occasionally visit the delicate flowers while foraging in spring woodland edges.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space plants 12 - 18 in apart for quick coverage and cohesive growth in shade beds.
Landscape Placement
- Excellent for woodland gardens, shady slopes, and underplanting deciduous trees and shrubs. Useful in native plant groupings and moist shade borders.
Companion Plants
- Heuchera americana (Alumroot) - Shares native range and similar foliage interest; adds varied leaf color in shade gardens.
- Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) - Forms a dense low mat in shade and complements Tiarella’s upright flower spikes.
- Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) - Adds fine texture and functions as a soft, shade loving groundcover beside Tiarella.
- Polygonatum biflorum (Solomons Seal) - Provides height and arching form that contrasts with Tiarella’s compact clumps.
- Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) - Offers blue to lavender spring blooms that overlap with Tiarella’s flowering period.