Description
Dicentra – Bleeding Heart –
There are about 20 species of annuals and perennials, in this genus. They occur in Asia and North America, often found in moist habitats, including woodland, especially in mountainous areas. The perennial species may be rhizomatous or tuberous, or have fleshy taproots. The hairless, sometimes silvery gray leaves are fern like and much divided. Pendent heart shaped flowers, in red, pink, white, purple or yellow, are borne in panicles or racemes, often arching, or occasionally solitary borne in mid spring into early summer. Some species are excellent woodland plants or are useful shady border plants, the smaller species look best in a rock garden. All parts of the plant may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. Contact with the foliage may aggravate skin allergies.
Grow in moist, fertile, humus rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline, in partial shade. Divide carefully in early spring.
Prone to downy mildew, Verticillium wilt, viruses, rust, fungal leaf spot, slugs and snails.
D. spectabilis f. alba – Bleeding Heart – Lyre Flower – This popular clump forming perennial grows 2-4′ feet tall and 18″ wide. It produces thick, fleshy roots and 2 ternate, pale green leaves, 6-16″ long, with ovate, sometimes cut or lobed leaflets. In late spring and early summer it bears arching, fleshy stems carry racemes of flowers, 3/4-1 1/4″’ long, pure white flowers with green-yellow markings. Protect from early frosts and high winds. Usually dies down to the ground in mid summer.
Zones 3-9
