Dicentra spectabilis

Sunset

Dicentra spectabilis

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Zones A1-A3, 1-9, 14-24, 31-45

Partial, Shade

Moderate

Common Bleeding Heart
Fumariaceae
Perennials

DICENTRA

Delicate looking plants. Graceful, divided, fernlike foliage. Dainty pendent flowers, usually heart shaped, in pink, rose, yellow, or white on leafless, horizontal to arching stems. In general, dicentras need rich, light, moist, porous soil. Never let water stand around roots. Foliage dies down even in mild-winter climates; mark clumps to avoid digging into roots in dormant season. Short lived in mild-winter areas.

Dicentra spectabilis

Native to Japan. Old garden favorite; showiest and largest-leafed of all bleeding hearts. To 2–3 ft. high, 3 ft. wide; stems are set with soft green leaves. Blooms in late spring, bearing flowers on one side of arching stems—rose pink, pendulous, heart shaped, with protruding white inner petals.