Dicentra spectabilis
Garden Plant Information

Dicentra spectabilis

 

Dicentra spectabilis - close-up

 

Name

Dicentra spectabilis (also called  bleeding heart)

Genus  

Dicentra

Species

spectabilis

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Herbaceous perennial with arching stems, grown for foliage and flowers in early spring and summer.

Season of interest

Attractive foliage and flowers in spring and early summer.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit – clump forming, arching. H: 120cm S: 50cm

  2. Stems – round, smooth, purple with shades of green.

  3. Leaves – mid-green, deeply lobed, smooth.

  4. Flowers – heart-shaped, pink with white tips, held dangling along arching stems.

Cultural details

Aspect

Sun to shade, but prefers shade.

Soil

Humus-rich, moisture retentive with a cool root run.

Hardiness

Said to be hardy down to at least –20c

Maintenance

Mulch with leaf mould or compost in autumn and feed in spring. Dislikes disturbance so try to avoid moving or dividing unless really necessary.

Propagation

Division in early spring. Root cuttings are a better idea as the plant resents being disturbed because of the brittle roots; roots cuttings have a better chance if the cutting has the beginning of a bud already showing.