Tiarella cordifolia Mint Chocolate

Tiarella cordifolia 'Mint Chocolate' is a charming perennial rhizomatous plant, often evergreen, with finely cut foliage resembling that of some maples, displaying a delightful shade of mint green with a chocolate centre. It is an excellent groundcover in damp shade, even in woodland areas.  Its abundant and long spring to summer flowering, in beautiful pink buds, opens into cylindrical and feathery spikes, almost white. The foliage takes on bronze and violet spots of varying size and extent during autumn and throughout winter.

Tiarella cordifolia 'Mint Chocolate' belongs to the family Saxifragaceae. Related to Heucheras, Tiarellas are native to North American woodlands. The 'Mint Chocolate' variety will reach about 30 cm (12in) in all directions and form a spreading clump with foliage that may or may not be evergreen depending on the severity of the winter. Its palmate and deeply lobed leaves measure 10 cm (4in) in length and are attractively crinkled and marked with a dark central spot, varying in colour from chocolate brown to violet, on a mint green to bronze background. In May, densely distributed flowers appear on stems about 38 cm (15in) tall, offering a beautiful range of pale pink to white, depending on their fading over time. The flowering, particularly long for the species, persists from mid-spring to early summer. This plant spreads through stolons and can quickly cover a large area.　

In the wild, Tiarella cordifolia is typically found in wooded or mountainous environments. 'Mint Chocolate' will naturally thrive in moist woodland areas alongside ferns, Impatiens balfouri, Solomon's seals, and astilbes. It can also be used as a waterside plant. It will also thrive in containers or shade gardens. In this case, it should be planted in well-drained potting soil with minimal fertiliser, while monitoring watering in summer and protecting the pot or container in winter.

The floral buds are formed during summer, but they will only develop and bloom after being exposed to at least 10 weeks of cold temperatures the following year. Cold is therefore necessary for the flowering of this perennial.