Tiarella 'Sugar and Spice' PP#16,738

A fast-growing, very easy plant, 'Sugar and Spice' belongs in every busy gardener's borders and containers. Its compact size, plentiful spring blooms, and richly marked glossy leaves set it apart from all others.

In spring, the new foliage emerges pale green and beautifully scalloped. Before long it is topped with abundant pink-and-white blooms, held on tall, wiry brown stems that hold up well in rain and wind. Lightly fragrant and very long-lasting, the flowers attract butterflies (and compliments!) and are fine for cutting. Expect their stems to add another 5 or 6 inches of height to this 8-inch-high plant.

When summer arrives, the central veins of each leaf begin to acquire cinnamon-brown tones, becoming more pronounced as the heat sets in. At this stage the leaves have a lacquered, high-gloss look that really stands out. They keep their shine through autumn, and then in winter ('Sugar and Spice' is evergreen in mild and warm climates), the cinnamon-maroon markings appear once more. Wow!

'Sugar and Spice' is best in morning sun or full shade. It resists pests, doesn't mind a bit of heat or drought, and grows rapidly to about a foot wide. Divide it every few years to increase your holdings of this spectacular perennial! Zones 4-9.