Tiarella cordifolia ‘Susquehanna’

From the superior breeding genetics of Sinclair A. Adam, Jr. of Dunvegan Nurseries, we present you with Tiarella cordifolia ‘Susquehanna’, another fine addition to The River Series of truly East Coast native foam flowers.
Susquehanna is the shortest member of the series.  It will quickly cover up to 24″ of ground in one growing season.  This selection is a perfect native alternative to English ivy (Herdera helix) and vinca (Vinca minor).  It will cover just as much ground, conserve water and even capture runoff, thereby preserving water quality and the ecology of it’s surroundings.

The dark markings become more pronounced as the foliage matures each season and the pure white blooms emerge in late spring and continue well into summer.

Susquehanna’s foliage remains semi-evergreen until March, when it is overgrown by new foliage.  This selection works well as a ground cover beneath oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) and Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) in dry shade locations.  Other, clumping foam flowers (Tiarella sp.), early spring bulbs, coral bells (Heuchera sp.), bleeding hearts (Dicentra sp.), summer blooming perennials and low growing, clumping grasses make interesting companion plants for this selection.

Size: 2-4″ tall by 24-36″ wide
USDA hardiness zones: 4(3)-9
Sun/shade: full to part shade
Soil: average garden soil
Moisture:  would love to have  moist, organic soil, but also grows well in dry soil with lots of rot competition.
Diseases and pests: none known

Landscape use: dry to moist shade, shady slopes, stream banks, shade containers, shade hanging baskets.

Market appeal/Uniqueness: Susquehanna ‘s deeply lobed leaves have the darkest markings. Deep purple
to black markings begin as subtle veining and mature to cover all but a thin margin of each deep green leaf. Susquehanna is the shortest of the series, growing to only two inches tall, but very vigorous, covering up to two feet of ground in one season. Many white blooms are held high above the foliage from April to June.

Propagation methods: tissue culture, vegetative cuttings
Date of introduction: January, 2009
Bloom time: April to June