If you have never grown a Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis), I hope you can
make room for one this year. Each spring it is the most
charming and beautiful plant in my garden. It was the first
flower my daughter noticed as a baby, and though I have
never seen them, I am sure there must be fairies lurking
amidst it's stems. The blossoms truly are heart shaped
and they hang daintily along curved stems.
Each year it
grows taller and wider, but that's fine, because there are
more blooms! The proper name for this variety with white (alba),
or my favorite, dark pink blooms is Dicentra spectabilis.
It grows to about 2 foot tall, but I have read of plants that
under the right conditions will grow taller. I currently have
one old fashioned bleeding heart, and three Dicentra formosa
or fern leaved bleeding hearts, a smaller, more fern looking flower that takes up less room.
It too is charming, scattered among the woodland plants.
The
common
bleeding heart does need it's own
space-at least 1-2 foot around, and d. formosa will grow quite
a bit shorter and not as wide. Plant both in partial shade where
the soil is rich and not too dry. Choose a spot that will be
a permanent location and plant carefully, because the roots
are rather brittle and don't like to be disturbed. You can replant
broken roots, but they may take up to 2 years before blooming. Though, I have
moved my d. formosa with success by digging wide around
the roots and carefully replanting. You can buy bare roots
or plants from a garden center in the spring. As the days heat
up, common bleeding heart will stop blooming and the
foliage will turn brown. At this point cut it back. I grow lilies
near mine and sometimes plant shallow rooted annuals in
front of it after it dies back. D. formosa will bloom all
summer long until frost if you deadhead the blooms.
However you use it in your landscape, bleeding heart truly is
a garden treasure. It's worth finding the right location in your
garden, because it will reward you with it's enchanting and
whimsical blossoms each year!
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is an avid gardener, freelance writer and
editor living in the Midwest with her husband and three
children.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Breck's: Bulbs & Plants
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Jackson & Perkins
White
Flower Farm
Nature Hills Nursery
