Threeleaf Foamflower
Tiarella trifoliata
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Genus:
- Tiarella
- Species:
- Tiarella trifoliata
- USDA Symbol:
- TITR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Greya punctiferella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded forest floors
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification. Seeds are surface sown for the light requirement. Conetainers are filled and sown in late fall and irrigated thoroughly prior to winter stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in late August or early fall when capsules begin to split. Seeds are black at maturity. Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed during the drying process and prior to cleaning.
Source: npn.rngr.net