Dicentra spectabilis
Elegant plants growing 2 to 3 feet tall, have mounding fern-like leaves and arching sprays of red heart-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer. Best in fertile, light soil. Tolerates full sun in cooler climates.
Dicentra are hardy zones 2b-10 and prefer dappled shade and cool conditions. In areas with hot summers the foliage and flowers may die back in the heat and return with cooler fall weather.
Summer is a good time to divide Dicentra as it winds down for dormancy but most bleeding heart plants won't grow aggressively in the garden so don't need to be divided very often.
If the soil is too wet, bleeding hearts may suffer from crown rot. In areas with dry, hot summers, bleeding hearts may not do well. Aphids can also be a problem.
Dicentra pairs nicely with many cottage garden plants such as hardy geranium, foxglove or daylilies. Use other shade-loving plants like hostas, brunnera and hellebores to combine with bleeding hearts in the part shade garden.
http://shade-loving-plants.suite101.com/article.cfm/plant_profile_bleeding_heart_dicentra
No comments:
Post a Comment