Species foam flower
white flowers with green leaves and lime-green stems

foam flower

Tiarella 'Black Velvet'

The foam flower (Tiarella 'Black Velvet') is a unique and eye-catching groundcover. Its dark, velvety black foliage is. complimented by shocking pink or white blooms. Hardy and low-maintenance, it prefers moist, shady spots and is ideal for lightly shaded corners or rock gardens. Being a hardy species, it will tolerate mild winters and even some degree of drought. It grows slowly but steadily in height, reaching just 10 inches when mature. Its dense foliage provides excellent erosion control in areas prone to run-off, making it an ideal outdoor addition to any garden. Its dark tones and vibrant flowers draw the eye, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to various outdoor landscapes.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Pinkish-white Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

purple,black

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Foam flowers (Tiarella 'Black Velvet') prefer moist, but not wet, soil. Water them when the soil dries to a depth of 2 inches. During spring and summer, water foam flowers once per week. During fall and winter, water when the soil has been dry for 2 or 3 weeks. It is best to use a soaker hose for these plants, as overhead watering may cause fungal diseases.

sunlight

Foam flower (Tiarella 'Black Velvet') prefers a location with part to full shade and doesn't require more than 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In areas with long summer days, it's best to give it some afternoon shade. Uneven and bright light can cause leaf scorch, so be sure to check if the foliage looks discolored and adjust the sunlight exposure as needed. In zones 6 and colder, this plant enjoys full sun, while in zones warmer than 7, it prefers partial shade.

pruning

Foam flower (Tiarella 'Black Velvet') should be pruned in late spring, once the danger of frost has passed. Trace back each stem until you reach the crown of the plant, then cut off the top 1-third of the stem. This measure will encourage a denser growth habit, which is ideal for this variety of foam flower. Additionally, you can remove any dead stems or foliage that appears during the growing season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Tiarella 'Black Velvet' typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map