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.
'Heronswood Mist' is a rhizomatous, clump-forming foamflower which is noted for its attractive, lightly lobed foliage and its spires of light pink flowers on pink stems in spring. It forms a basal foliage mound of light green leaves which are misted in a stippling-like manner with cream and pink. Leaves have large rounded lobes which are very shallowly cut. Foliage mound typically grows 5-6" tall and 9" wide. Tiny pink flowers bloom in spring in bottle-brush-like racemes atop erect, wiry, mostly leafless flowering stems which are a unique shrimp pink. Flower stems rise above the foliage mound to a height of 15".
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.