Tiarella trifoliata is a perennial dicotyledonous herb that flowers in the late spring. The flowers are bell-shaped, white, and solitary forming an elongated, leafless panicle. The calyx lobes are 1.5–2.5 mm and the petals are 3–4 mm. Basal leaves are 15–80 mm long and up to 120 mm wide, trifoliate or palmately 3- to 5-lobed. Cauline leaves are infrequent and much smaller.
The typical variety of Tiarella trifoliata (var. trifoliata) has petiolate leaves with three leaflets per leaf (i.e., trifoliate). The cut-leaved foamflower (var. laciniata) also has trifoliate leaves with petioles, but unlike the typical variety, it has deep lobes more than half the length of the leaflet. The one-leaf foamflower (var. unifoliate) has sessile, simple leaves (rarely trifoliate).
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Hardiness | 4,5,6,7,8,9 |
| Heat Zones | 4,5,6,7,8 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest | Spring, Late Spring |
| Height | 1' - 2' |
| Spread | 1' - 2' |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Soil Type | Acid |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Attracts Butterflies, Deer Tolerant |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden |
| Planting Place | Beds and Borders, Edging |