Could there be any better spring flower to showcase on Valentine's Day than old-fashioned Bleeding Hearts?
I have three varieties of Bleeding Hearts in my garden; Dicentra spectabilis, Dicentra spectabilis 'Goldheart' and Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'. All three are planted in part-shade.
The pretty, fern-like foliage appears in early May and lasts well into mid-summer, when conditions here in Southern Ontario tend to get drier than Dicentra prefer. By then, their fading foliage is hidden by other plants. The dangling heart-shaped flowers generally last into early June.
Here are just a few of the many cultivars available:
Common Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis: This common variety is still one of my favourite Bleeding Hearts. It takes a few years to come into its own, but when it does, Dicentra spectabilis forms a generous mound of fresh green foliage. You can refresh the plant after it flowers by cutting it to 6" above the ground, but even so, it will go dormant by late summer. Light to full shade. Height: 70-90 cm, Spread: 70-90 cm. Average to moist soil. USDA Zones 2-9.
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis, 'Goldheart': This Bleeding Heart has amazing golden foliage and magenta colored, heart-shaped flowers. Height: 60-90 cm, Spread: 60-90 cm. Part or full shade. Average to moist soil. Will go dormant by late summer. Hardy: Zones 2-9.
A heart lovin' bee
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis, 'Alba': This Bleeding Heart has bright green foliage and white flowers. Height: 70-90 cm, Spread: 70-90 cm. Light shade to full shade. Average to moist soil. Hardy: Zones 2-9.
Fern-leaf Bleeding Heart, Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal': has grey-green foliage and deep magenta flowers. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) Part or full shade. Average to moist soil. USDA Zones 2-9.
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra formosa 'Luxuriant': is another compact fern-leaf Bleeding Heart that has blue-green foliage and clusters of magenta-red flowers. Fern-leafed varieties are great for the front of a border and may also be used in containers. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). Part or full shade. Average to moist soil. USDA Zones 2-9.
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra formosa 'Adrain Bloom': 'Adrain Bloom' is a compact plant with blue-green foliage and clusters of magenta-pink flowers. Removing spent flowers should encourage a long season of bloom. Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches), Spread: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches). Part or full shade. Average to moist soil. USDA Zones 2-9.
Have a Happy Valentines Day!
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