Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' (Bleeding Heart)
Bleeding Heart 'Alba', Dutchman's Breeches 'Alba', Chinaman's Breeches 'Alba', Locks and Keys 'Alba', Lyre Flower 'Alba', Seal Flower 'Alba', Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Alba'
Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' (Bleeding Heart) is a graceful perennial that is fabulous to brighten a shady border. In late spring, it bears elegant, arching wands of heart-shaped, pristine white flowers with protruding white petals, which dangle above the fern-like foliage of fresh green leaves. Blooming for 4-6 weeks in late spring to early summer, it tends to decline or even disappear in mid-summer. However, if it is kept well-watered during the spring, dormancy may be delayed until late summer or early fall. Great for shaded borders or woodland gardens, plant it among other perennials such as hosta, astilbe, pulmonaria or ferns to fill in the space left by its foliage when going dormant.
- Grows in a clump, up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 cm) and 18-36 in. wide (45-90 cm).
- 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 shaded borders or woodland gardens, plant it among other perennials such as hosta, astilbe, pulmonaria or ferns to fill in the space left by its foliage when going dormant. Great as fresh cut flowers: the racemes make delightful additions to fresh bouquets, lasting about 2 weeks in a vase.
- 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 | 3
– 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) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
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 | Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts
lianem / 123RF Stock Photo
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 | 3
– 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) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
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 | Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Dicentra - Bleeding Hearts