Dicentra 'King of Hearts' (Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart)
Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart 'King of Hearts', Bleeding Heart 'King of Hearts', Dicentra formosa 'King of Hearts', Western Bleeding Heart 'King of Hearts'
Vigorous, sun and heat tolerant, Dicentra 'King of Hearts' (Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart) is a compact, bushy perennial noted for its arching sprays of large, deep rose heart-shaped flowers. Blooming over a very long season extending from late spring to early fall in cool summer climates, the flowers dangle gracefully above a sumptuous foliage mound of feathery, finely-divided, blue-green leaves. In warmer areas, flowering will stop in the heat of the summer and may start again in late summer to early fall. Perfect to brighten a shady border or to enchant passersby all season long.
- Grows in a compact clump, up to 8-10 in. tall (20-25 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm). Unlike Common Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), it will not go dormant in midsummer as long as the soil is kept moist.
- Thrives in part shade and is easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. It is full shade tolerant but be aware that too much shade will result in few flowers. It can be grown in full sun in the coolest part of its range provided the soil is kept consistently moist.
- Great for beds and borders, edging, underplanting shrubs or banks and slopes.
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-in. (5 cm) layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
- Plant bareroot Dicentra in early spring while the plants are still dormant.
- After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line.
- All parts cause severe discomfort if eaten.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts
Pictures are courtesy of Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc. www.terranovanurseries.com
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Edging, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts