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Dicentra spectabilis ‘Valentine’ (Bleeding Heart)

Bleeding Heart 'Valentine', Dutchman's Breeches 'Valentine', Chinaman's Breeches 'Valentine', Locks and Keys 'Valentine', Lyre Flower 'Valentine', Seal Flower 'Valentine', Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Valentine', Dicentra spectabilis 'Hordival'

AGM Award
Dicentra Spectabilis Valentine,Bleeding Heart Valentine, Dutchman's Breeches Valentine, Chinaman's Breeches Valentine, Locks and Keys Valentine, Lyre Flower Valentine, Seal Flower Valentine, Lamprocapnos Spectabilis Valentine, Red flowers
Dicentra Spectabilis Valentine,Bleeding Heart Valentine, Dutchman's Breeches Valentine, Chinaman's Breeches Valentine, Locks and Keys Valentine, Lyre Flower Valentine, Seal Flower Valentine, Lamprocapnos Spectabilis Valentine, Red flowers

Noted for its brilliant floral display, Dicentra spectabilis ‘Valentine’ (Bleeding Heart) is a graceful perennial which produces dozens of arching flower stems adorned with dangling, heart-shaped, rich scarlet-red flowers with protruding white petals. Emerging purple-flushed soft green, the leaves mature to gray green in great contrast with the vibrant flowers. 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.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows in a clump, up to 30 in. tall and wide (75 cm).
  • Thrives in part shade and is easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, neutral or slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soils. 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, cottage gardens, underplanting shrubs. 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.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs. Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down. Propagate by root cuttings in winter.
  • If ingested, all parts may cause stomach upset, the foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Bleeding Heart plants are not only toxic to humans but animals as well. Although aesthetically pleasing, this plant contains soquinoline alkaloids. Alkaloids negatively affect animals, most commonly cattle, sheep, and dogs.
  • Dicentra spectabilis species is native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
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 Papaveraceae
Genus Dicentra
Common names Locks and Keys, Dutchman's Breeches, Bleeding Heart
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dicentra ‘Stuart Boothman’ (Bleeding Heart)
Dicentra ‘Pink Diamonds’ (Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart)
Dicentra ‘Fire Island’ (Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart)
Dicentra formosa ‘Ivory Hearts’ (Pacific Bleeding Heart)
Dicentra formosa (Pacific Bleeding Heart)
Dicentra canadensis (Squirrel Corn)

Recommended Companion Plants

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian Bugloss)
Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ (Cranesbill)
Primula denticulata (Drumstick Primula)

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Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
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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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
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 Papaveraceae
Genus Dicentra
Common names Locks and Keys, Dutchman's Breeches, Bleeding Heart
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
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