How to Grow Dicentra Bleeding Heart.
Dicentra is a perennial herbaceous perennial known by the Latin name Dicentra which is derived from Greek: di, two; kentron, spur, referring to two spurs on each petal of this perennial from the Fumaraceae family (Fumariaceae). Formerly referred to as Dielytra due to their fibrous and tuberous roots which tend to transplant poorly because their fragile structures. Blooms appear suspended from arching stems like lanterns from corded strings – like lanterns hanging from their stems like lanterns from corded strings like lanterns along a corded cable!
Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman’s Breeches), 6 inches high with very divided pale green foliage that has pearl white flowers with yellow tips that bloom between May and June.
Dicentra eximia (1-2 feet tall, reddish-purple flowers May – September and intermittently thereafter); Dicentra eximia var. alba (white flowers).
Dicentra formosa grows 1-2 feet high with pink or light red flowers and has an extended flowering period; for an enhanced flower show experience ‘Bountiful’ cultivar features larger, deeper pink blooms.
Dicentra oregana grows at 6 inches with creamy-pink flowers that feature purple tinges on the tips. Blooming from May through June.
Dicentra peregrina (syn. D. pusilla), with three inch rose-pink flowers that bloom between June and July, makes an excellent plant to use as a screen in rock gardens.
Dicentra spectabilis is commonly known by several common names: Chinaman’s Breeches, Bleeding-Heart or Lyre Flower and has two-to-four foot leaves with rose-red blooms between May and June; its white variety, Dicentra eximia x D. formosa hybrid 9-12 Inches white has deep red flowers.
Where and How to Propagate
Dicentras can thrive in either light shade or full sunlight as long as its soil doesn’t dry out its roots; rich loam is ideal and provides shelter from cold winds. Some protection may be required during winter. Propagation involves root cuttings taken in March/April at 55degF (13degC), followed by division in spring if feasible due to their very fragile roots.
D. spectabilis can be grown both indoors in pots or forced in an equal mixture of loam, peat and sand compost. Once frost-free all winter, plants should be brought indoors in February to temperatures between 55-65F (13-18C) to start growth. Water moderately when buds appear, feeding moderately with liquid food after flowering has taken place and finally plant out into open ground after they have flowered.
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