Foam flower (Tiarella 'Crow Feather')
Tiarella 'Crow Feather' is a striking low-maintenance perennial Foam flower known for its colorful, variegated foliage in shade gardens.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ is a highly ornamental, rhizomatous hybrid celebrated primarily for its stunning foliage, making it an excellent structural plant for shady landscapes. This specific Foam flower cultivar stands out with deep green, palmate leaves prominently marked by black feathering along the center veins. In cooler climates, this attractive variegation persists, while in milder USDA Zones 7 and warmer, the foliage develops breathtaking pink, red, and purple hues throughout the fall and winter.
As an herbaceous perennial, Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ creates neat, dense mounds perfect for ground cover applications or border edging. Though the foliage provides year-round interest, the plant also offers a delicate spring display of light pink flowers borne in airy racemes above the leaves. Its low maintenance requirements and compatibility with woodland settings solidify the reputation of the genus as a staple in shade gardening.
Gardeners rely on Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ to provide texture and consistent color where other plants struggle under heavy shade. Its natural relationship to Heuchera and Mitella means it brings that familiar woodland garden aesthetic, but with its own unique leaf patterning that earns it the common name Foam flower.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Saxifragaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: May
- Bloom Description: Light pink
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ thrives best when planted in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. The ideal environment mimics its native woodland setting, meaning it requires rich, humusy soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Planting in full sun should be avoided, as only part shade to full shade locations will prevent leaf scorch and maintain foliage quality.
Watering should be consistent; this Foam flower does not tolerate drying out, especially during its active growing season. While it needs medium water, ensure drainage is excellent, as standing water, particularly in winter, can be fatal. Fertilization is often unnecessary if the soil is organically rich; supplemental compost can be worked into the soil surface annually to boost vigor.
Maintenance for Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ is generally low. After the light pink spring flowers fade, promptly removing the flower spikes will tidy the appearance of the foliage mound and direct energy back into leaf production. Foliage is semi-evergreen, meaning much of the valuable colored leaves should remain through winter, though severe temperature dips may cause some die-back depending on your location within Zones 4-9.
Landscape Uses
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ excels in shaded areas where moisture is reliably available. It functions exceptionally well as a dense, attractive ground cover, capable of softening the edges of woodland paths or naturalizing beneath deciduous trees. These plants are also excellent choices for the front of shady borders, providing textural contrast to larger hostas or ferns.
Consider using this Foam flower hybrid in specialized settings like shaded rock gardens or along the margins of streams or ponds where consistent moisture is a given. Thanks to its neat clumping habit, Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ is also a reliable performer in mixed containers, pairing beautifully with shade-loving annuals or slow-growing evergreens, offering season-long foliage interest.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tiarella is a genus of about 7 species of herbaceous perennials from East Asia and North America, often grouped near Heuchera and Mitella (false miterwort). ‘Crow Feather’ is specifically noted for its attractive variegated foliage, which develops bright colors in fall and winter in milder climates. Palmate, deeply cut basal leaves display bright green marked with prominent black feathering, adding significant ornamental value long after the light pink spring flowers have passed.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ generally enjoys good pest and disease resistance, making maintenance easy. The primary plant health concern is watching for powdery mildew, especially when air circulation is poor or humidity is relentlessly high. To manage this, ensure proper spacing during planting. Furthermore, susceptible to damage from root weevils and slugs, requiring vigilance in checking the undersides of leaves or deploying appropriate control measures if populations escalate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Foam flower suitable for?
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, offering excellent perennial performance across a wide range of climates.
How large does Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ grow?
This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a mature height between 0.5 to 1 foot tall, spreading similarly between 0.5 and 1 foot wide, forming neat clumps.
When does Foam flower bloom?
Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ displays its light pink flowers during the month of May, held slightly above the beautiful mound of foliage.
What sun exposure does Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ need?
This plant performs best in locations receiving part shade to full shade; avoiding intense afternoon sun is crucial for maintaining vibrant foliage health.
Conclusion
The richly patterned foliage and delicate spring blooms ensure that Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ remains a standout choice for cultivating beautiful, low-upkeep shade gardens. If you seek vibrant year-round texture in moist, shaded areas, this Foam flower hybrid is an exceptional addition to your planting scheme. Before ordering, confirm that your chosen planting site offers the required part shade and consistently medium moisture to ensure the best performance from your Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’.
Companion Planting
When designing a woodland garden utilizing Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’, focus on companions that share similar moisture and shade requirements. Excellent partners include Hosta varieties, especially those with blue or gold foliage that contrast well with the dark markings of the Foam flower. Astilbe provides complementary airy flower plumes later in the season, while various ferns offer fine, contrasting texture beneath the broader leaves of the Tiarella.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation for Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’ involves clearing away any winter debris and, if necessary, top-dressing with a thin layer of rich compost to feed the developing foliage mound. Mid-summer care centers on monitoring soil moisture to ensure the medium does not dry out, especially during heat waves. In the fall, resist the urge to prune heavily; allow the foliage to remain as long as possible as it provides winter interest and protects the crown.
