Sylvan Lace Foamflower

Sylvan Lace Foamflower (Tiarella 'Sylvan Lace')

Sylvan Lace Foamflower is a shade perennial that brings crisp foliage contrast and a bright spring bloom to the spots that often feel flat or unfinished. It forms a tidy mound that helps unify mixed plantings, soften edges, and give shaded beds a more designed look. In spring, airy flower spikes lift above the leaves and add a clean, fresh layer of white bloom. If you want dependable texture and color in part shade, this is an easy plant to build around.

Distinctive Features

This variety stands out for its deeply cut, lacy green leaves marked with a dramatic maroon center that can deepen toward near-black as the season progresses. In late spring, upright spikes carry tiny flowers that often start as pink buds and open white for a light, foamy effect above the foliage. The habit is compact and clump-forming, staying neat while slowly broadening in good soil. Foliage can remain attractive late into the season and may hold well through winter in milder climates.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Part shade to full shade, with best foliage and flowering in dappled light.
• Soil: Humus-rich, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist but not soggy.
• Water: Medium water, keeping soil consistently moist during establishment and during extended dry spells.
• USDA Zones: Zones 4 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 9 inches tall and about 18 inches wide, with flower spikes to about 16 inches.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Mass it near a shaded entry or path edge where the dark-centered foliage and white bloom spikes create a crisp seasonal highlight.
• Shade Borders: Plant along the front of shady beds to add definition, texture, and contrast without blocking larger plants.
• Woodland Gardens: Blend with ferns, hostas, and spring bulbs for a layered look that feels natural but intentional.
• Underplanting: Tuck beneath shrubs and small trees to soften the base and reduce the look of exposed mulch.
• Ground Layer: Repeat in groups to connect mixed shade plantings into a cohesive, finished design.
• Containers: Use in part-shade containers to anchor mixed plantings with strong foliage contrast and spring bloom.

Low Maintenance Care

• Mulch: Topdress with compost or leaf mold to conserve moisture and improve soil structure over time.
• Watering: Water during hot or dry stretches to prevent stress and keep foliage looking clean.
• Cleanup: Remove winter-worn leaves in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
• Deadheading: Snip spent flower spikes after bloom to keep the mound looking fresh and tidy.
• Division: Divide every few years if clumps crowd or if you want to expand the planting.

Why Choose Sylvan Lace Foamflower?

• Foliage Drama: Lacy leaves with a dark center deliver strong contrast that elevates nearby colors and textures.
• Spring Bloom: White flower spikes add a light, airy finish to shade beds when many plants are just emerging.
• Neat Habit: A compact, clump-forming shape stays tidy and easy to place in designed plantings.
• Shade Performance: Reliable growth in part shade to full shade helps solve tough garden areas.
• Easy Pairing: The foliage pattern complements ferns, hostas, heucheras, and other shade staples.

If you want shade planting that looks polished without constant effort, Sylvan Lace Foamflower delivers. Plant it where you can enjoy the leaf detail up close, then let the spring blooms provide the seasonal lift. With rich, well-drained soil and steady moisture, it settles in quickly and keeps shaded beds looking intentional from spring through fall.