Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers humusy, organically rich, moisture-retentive soils. Soil should not be allowed to dry out. Avoid wet soils which can be fatal particularly in winter. Removal of flower spikes after bloom will improve the appearance of the foliage mound. Foliage is semi-evergreen in the St. Louis area where the amount of retained foliage color in winter, if any, is in large part dependent upon the severity of the temperatures.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tiarella is a genus of about 7 species of herbaceous perennials from East Asia and North America. They make good ground covers in woodland gardens and shady borders.
Plants are in the same family as and somewhat suggestive of Heuchera, Tellima and Mitella. Tiarella is sometimes commonly called false miterwort because of its similarity to Mitella (miterwort).
Genus name comes from the Greek tiara meaning a small crown in reference to the form of the fruit.
'Cygnet' is a rhizomatous, clump-forming foamflower hybrid which is noted for its narrowly-lobed foliage and its dense spires of pink flowers in spring. It forms a basal foliage mound of black-centered, dark green leaves which are deeply cut into narrow finger-like lobes. Leave shape purportedly resembles a swan in flight (a cygnet is a young swan). Foliage mound typically grows 12-14" tall and 16" wide. Tiny pink flowers bloom in spring in bottle-brush-like racemes atop erect, wiry, mostly leafless stems which rise above the foliage mound to a height of 19". An abundant bloomer that produces numerous flowering stems.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for powdery mildew. Susceptible to root weevils and slugs.
Uses
Excellent selection for shaded areas of rock gardens, woodland gardens, border fronts, naturalized plantings or moist areas along streams or ponds. Mass for an attractive ground cover. Containers.