A Spring Valentine
Could there be any better Spring flower to showcase during the week of Valentine's Day than good, old-fashioned Bleeding Hearts?
I have three varieties of Bleeding Hearts in my garden (Dicentra spectabilis, Dicentra spectabilis 'Goldheart' and Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'), all of which are in light 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:
I have three varieties of Bleeding Hearts in my garden (Dicentra spectabilis, Dicentra spectabilis 'Goldheart' and Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'), all of which are in light 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:
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis, 'Goldheart'
Common Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis
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, '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.
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis, 'Alba'
A heart lovin' bee
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.
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.
Dicentra formosa 'Adrain Bloom'
Have a Happy Valentines Day!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
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2 of 12 comments
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I have the pink and white, the all white and the red and white (cardinal variety). They are my daughters favorite flowers.
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Hard to grow ,But beautiful
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