Tiarella polyphylla

‘Filigran’

FILIGRAN FOAM FLOWER

Tiarella polyphylla ‘Filigran’
FILIGRAN FOAM FLOWER

Tiarella polyphylla ‘Filigran’ is a charming, shade-loving plant for under trees and shrubs.
It pleases with decorative foliage, foamy spires of flowers, plus robust hardiness.

Spires of foamy flowers

Tiarella are lovely bloomers.
With chubby flower spires looking as if foam has twirled around their stems.
But the foam is actually made up of hundreds of tiny spidery flowers – very sweet.

Long blooming with white blushing pink

‘Filigran’ foams with flower spires that open white, then blush with pink as they mature.
And contrasting brightly with deep red stems.
It has the pretty effect of having both pink and white blooms all at once, since ‘Filigran’ is a long and prolific bloomer.
The show continues with flushes of foamy flowers over spring and summer.

Wine chevrons on heart shaped leaves shine in shade

But Tiarella polyphylla ‘Filigran’ is not just a pretty bloomer – It also charms with decorative foliage.
Heart-shaped, filigreed leaves, bright green and each highlighted with a deep wine chevron, make a neat, evergreen clump.
So the foliage really shine in a shaded area, and they look stunning grouped as a groundcover under larger trees or shrubs.

Specialist shade dwellers 

Tiarellas are specialists at growing in shade, enjoying a variety of shaded positions.
From deep shade to dappled light, and even positions that just get a little early sun.
But it is in the shade garden, or a shaded pot, that they really star.

Hardy & water-wise

Hardy and useful Tiarella are more shade and dry hardy than their cousins the Heuchera.
They are not water-guzzlers and can mange on a lot less water, though they thrive with some regular water of course.

Not fussy or demanding

Tiarella polyphylla ‘Filigran’ happily grows in a wide range of soils, including clay.
And enjoys the mulch and leaf litter under trees and shrubs.
It does not require high fertility.

Low maintenance & long lived perennial

There is little work to do with Tiarella polyphylla ‘Filigran’.
It is a long-lived, evergreen perennial which rarely requires dividing or pruning.
If the weather is harsh during summer and it begins to look a little bedraggled, then you can simply chop back the clump to freshen and renew the lovely leaves.
But this is not essential or regularly needed.
They are rarely troubled by any pests or diseases, though bees and butterflies love sipping from the sweet, nectar rich tiny flowers.

Rabbits & deer tend to ignore Tiarella

The leaves of Tiarella have a very astringent taste, and so are low on the menu selection for both rabbits and deer.

Crowns of flowers

The name of Tiarella derives from the Latin word “tiara” – meaning an upright crown.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Warm-cold-cool

Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in autumn or late winter  / or for optimum germination – sow in punnets indoors at any time when suitable temperatures can be given.

Sow indoors for optimum germination: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.

Tip for sowing fine seed: The seed for Tiarella polyphylla ‘Filigran’ are very fine.
So sieve a little seed raising mix, and pop a few pinches into the seed bag.
Then shake briskly to gather up all the seed.
Then sow – you will get better distribution and collect all the seed

Then gently pat the surface to ensure good contact between seeds and mix.
But do not cover – these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allow the water to percolate up to the surface of the mix from the bottom.
This will ensure the mix is thoroughly moist but not drenched.

Label the punnet with the name and date sown.

For best germination – pre-condition with a warm period

Place the punnet in a well lit position (no direct sunlight) at a temperature of approx. 21°C for 14 days.
The punnet should be kept moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover, plastic bag, or glass will also help retain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.
You can use a heat mat if you have one, or a warm spot to maintain warm temperatures.

Give a period of chilling

Now the seeds need a period of chilling (a pretend winter) – so wrap the sown, moist punnet in cling-wrap and place in fridge (not freezer) for 6-8 weeks.

Then take out, unwrap punnet, and keep moist in a cool, well lit position.
Temperatures between 10- 20°C are best for this sprouting period.

Seeds need good light to sprout, but the punnet should not be in any direct sunlight.
Seeds germinate in approx. 30 days.

Or sow seeds directly in garden in autumn/winter and leave to get the required chilling from nature over winter, before germinating in the spring.

Seed Count: 100 seeds per packet approximately.
(We aim to exceed the stated count, and give a generous serve)

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/