As I learn how best to use foamflowers in my garden, ground-covering
forms have become my favorites. I find it easy to use groundcovers with
companion plants. In fact, foamflower is so versatile it is difficult
to choose a less than ideal companion. While flowing outward they offer
no competition for other plants to grow up through. I enjoy being able
to use the same space in my garden more than once, providing several
seasons of interest in the same location.
Ground covering plants are more than just another pretty face for the gardener. They also serve to hold down weeds by occupying space so seeds can not germinate. While covering an area foliage provides constant shade keeping the root run of other plants cooler and more moist.
Of all the cultivars that have come and gone over the years, my favorite is T. cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'. Mature leaves are about 4" across and 4 to 5 inches long, softly hairy, with gracefully scalloped edges. The veins are heavily marked as though ink-stained in brown-black with concentrated patterns or blotches of color in the center of each leaf. In winter the foliage takes on additional colors of pink, tan and maroon-red over the dark, rich, green.
Running Tapestry is one of the heaviest bloomers of all foamflowers grown here. Almost every one of the plants that have matured on runners will have clumps of bloom stems with white frothy flowers on display.
In spring and summer thin green runners reaching two to three feet
in length are sent out and will have leaves along their length about the
size of a quarter. At each leaf node the runner will take root and form
another plant that will mature and send out its own runners. Three
years ago I transplanted three plants to my raised bed. Those three
plants have grown nicely to cover an area about six feet by seven feet.
The raised bed is about 12 feet by 12 feet, using old rotted pines and cedars as side supports. There is a path around all four sides of the bed, with largest plants in the middle, stepping down in size to the edges of the bed. There are two native azalea, hellebore x garden hybrids, deer ferns, trilliums and Disporum. I am especially pleased with the way Running Tapestry has woven a carpet around hellebores and deer ferns. Trillium poke their noses up through the weave adding vertical accent. New runners are drifting over the edge of the rotted logs like a tattered rug, creating a wonderfully soft, natural, appearance to the edges of the bed.