Tiarella x laciniata Arpeggio

Tiarella 'Arpeggio' is a hybrid Tiarella variety distinguished by a beautiful foliage reminiscent of some maples. It forms a mound of deeply cut and lobed light green leaves, marked with a darker central spot, which take on pretty pink-purple tones at the first cold. It also seduces with its spring and feathery flowering, in the form of spikes of very pale pink turning white. This very hardy perennial plant, mostly evergreen, spreads laterally to form an excellent groundcover in damp shade.

Tiarella 'Arpeggio' belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. This horticultural hybrid is likely derived from the species Tiarella trifoliata var. laciniata, with remarkably finely cut foliage. It is a cousin of Heuchera native to North American undergrowth. The 'Arpeggio' variety will reach 30 cm (12in) in all directions, forming a spreading tuft with evergreen and colorful foliage, its first asset. Its palmate and deeply lobed leaves measure 10 cm (4in) in length and are nicely embossed and marked with a dark central spot, variable depending on the seasons, from dark green to purplish on a light green background. In winter, they turn almost entirely pink-red. In April-May, the flowers appear, densely distributed in brush on stems of about 30 cm (12in) in height, offering a beautiful gradient from pale pink to white, depending on their discoloration over time. The flowering is particularly long for the species, lasting from spring to early summer. This plant spreads by stolons and can quickly cover a large area.　

In the wild, Tiarellas are generally found in wooded or mountainous environments, in damp and humus-rich soil. Tiarella 'Arpeggio' will naturally find its place in wet undergrowth alongside ferns, hostas, Impatiens balfouri, Solomon's seals, and astilbes. It can also be used as a waterside plant, to accompany Rodgersia. It will also thrive in shaded pots or containers. It should be planted in a well-drained potting mix without excessive fertilizer, with watering monitored in summer. Pots will need winter protection.

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