August 2008 — Dicentra Print
Thursday, 31 July 2008 19:00
Is there a gardener anywhere who can resist the lure of Dicentra? I have yet to meet one. These beautiful perennials are members of the Papaveraceae family (sub family Fumarioideae or just family Fumariaceae - isn't taxonomy fun!?) and are generally happiest in a shady, woodland type setting. Foliage is soft and fernlike in appearance but the lovely flowers are the inspiration for the customary common name of Bleeding Heart. Two outer petals almost cover the inner tube shaped petals, forming pendulous blooms that are suspended from racemes in groups of 3-15. The bleeding heart effect is most noticeable when the outer petals are pink with white inner petals.

There are 20 to 25 species of Dicentra and of those most commonly available in North America one hales from Asia (D. spectabilis) and 2 are native (D. eximia, D. formosa). All are easy to grow, requiring little in the form of maintenance as long as they are kept moist in the summer growing season and dry during the winter. Cold wet soil is definitely not appreciated. Dicentra are generally not particularly interesting to deer, but do attract hummingbirds. They make excellent cut flowers and are hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
D. spectabilis 'Alba'
D. formosa
D. formosa 'Bacchanal'
The Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart (D. spectabilis) is perhaps the most well known of the group. Compound foliage of a medium green emerges in early spring and is soon joined by the familiar heart shaped pink and white blooms in April and May. This is a perfect plant for Mother's day gifts, and the wise retailer always has plenty on hand. The mature height is about 3' to 4' (120m) with a spread of about 2' (80 cm). This can pose somewhat of a design dilemma because D. spectabilis does go dormant in the summer, generally retreating below ground by mid July after developing the traditional golden yellow fall foliage. Careful planning is required so that something substantial is emerging to fill the empty space, specimen sized Hosta are perfect but some of the larger ferns will work equally well without changing the flavor of the foliage.

The cultivar D. spectabilis 'Alba' has pure white flowers (as the name implies) and generally comes true from seed. Although they appear to be very delicate, Dicentra are actually a great plant for beginning and experienced gardeners alike, they are very easy to care for and will reward all who view them with a fantastic display of romantic flowers that add a graceful effect to any display.

D. formosa is known as Western Bleeding Heart, Pacific B. H., Fringed B. H., and even Dwarf Bleeding Heart. By the range of common names you will have correctly realized that this species is native to the Pacific North West of the United States and into British Columbia. They are also considerably smaller than their Asian cousins reaching a mature height of 12 - 18 inches (30 - 45 cm) with a spread of 18 -24 inches (45-60 cm). The green to blue-green foliage is much finer cut than that of D. spectabilis imparting a very lacey appearance. Flowers can range from pink to a deep magenta.

D. formosa 'Bacchanal': is a popular cultivar of the Western Bleeding Heart with delicate ferny gray-green foliage and deep maroon blooms. An excellent plant that will give many seasons of pleasure to the gardener.

D. eximia is the Eastern Bleeding Heart. In appearance quite similar to D. formosa, being perhaps somewhat finer of foliage and a little later to bloom in the spring. Neither of these two NA natives will go dormant in the summer as long as they are not permitted to dry out completely, but the D. formosa selections tend to be somewhat more drought resistant. In addition these dwarf bleeding hearts will continue to flower all summer! The peak of bloom will of course be in spring, with intermittent shows until a vigorous display again in the cooler weather of autumn.

D. 'Luxuriant': generally considered to be the result of a hybrid between D. formosa and D. eximia, displays wonderful cutleaf foliage in a lovely blue green tone and masses of cherry red flowers right through the summer. This is an older selection and one of the first ornamental plants to be patented, but still exceedingly popular with the gardening public for good reason - it is a good plant.

D. 'Candy Hearts' PP 14692: one of the newer selections just recently released after several years of hybridization work. The result of a complex intermingling of several species has produced a series of plants with great foliage and floral display that exhibit increased drought tolerance and good hybrid vigor. The leaves have a distinct bluish tint while the large flowers are a bright 'cotton-candy' pink. Mature height will be 20" - 36" (50 - 95 cm). Any of the 'Hearts' group are definitely worth a spot in the woodland garden.
 

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