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Dicentra formosa (Common bleeding heart)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Dicentra formosa
Other names
Common bleeding heart, Western bleeding heart, Wild bleeding heart, Dicentra eximia, Pacific bleeding heart, Fern-leaf bleeding heart
Genus
Dicentra Dicentra
Species
D. formosa - D. formosa is a spreading, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial with deeply lobed, mid-green leaves and upright stems bearing arching racemes of pendent, rose-pink buds opening to pink flowers in late spring and early summer.
Dicentra formosa is: Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Spreading
Toxicity
Careful: All parts cause severe discomfort if eaten. Leaves may trigger skin allergies.
Flower
Pink in Spring; Pink in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
If desired, remove faded or dead foliage.
Propagation
Divide carefully in early spring or after the leaves have completely died down. Sow seed in containers in spring or as soon as ripe.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Dicentra formosa (Common bleeding heart) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, neutral to alkaline, cool, moist soil in partial shade. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Foliage dies down quickly after flowering. Keep dry when dormant from summer to winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Dicentra formosa
Other names
Common bleeding heart, Western bleeding heart, Wild bleeding heart, Dicentra eximia, Pacific bleeding heart, Fern-leaf bleeding heart
Genus
Dicentra Dicentra
Species
D. formosa - D. formosa is a spreading, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial with deeply lobed, mid-green leaves and upright stems bearing arching racemes of pendent, rose-pink buds opening to pink flowers in late spring and early summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Spreading
Toxicity
Careful: All parts cause severe discomfort if eaten. Leaves may trigger skin allergies.
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Colour
Flower
Pink in Spring; Pink in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
If desired, remove faded or dead foliage.
Propagation
Divide carefully in early spring or after the leaves have completely died down. Sow seed in containers in spring or as soon as ripe.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Dicentra formosa (Common bleeding heart) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, neutral to alkaline, cool, moist soil in partial shade. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Foliage dies down quickly after flowering. Keep dry when dormant from summer to winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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