Dicentra spectabilis
Dicentra spectabilis

Dicentra spectabilis

SKU: S27735
1 for $16.95
Quick Facts
Common Name: Bleeding Heart
Hardiness Zone: 3-8S/9W Exposure: Part Shade
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Blooms In: May-Jun
Mature Height: 30-36" Spacing: 24-30"
Read our Growing Guide Ships as: BAREROOT
Deer Resistance: Yes
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Shipping Details Shipment begins in late March 2024, depending on your zone. See shipping tab for details
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Product Details

Product Details

The old-fashioned Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) has been a garden favorite for years. It bears long, arching racemes of heart-shaped pink flowers. Bloom time starts here in early May and lasts several weeks, subsiding with the arrival of summer heat. Plants often go dormant in midsummer. Interplant with Ferns and Hostas to fill the breach. If moisture is reliable, they will grow in full sun here in Litchfield. Long-lived and reliable year after year.

About 15 species make up this genus of perennials native to Asia and North America. The common name derives from the unusual heart shape of the flowers and protruding inner petals. Most Dicentras prefer evenly moist soil, and little or no direct sun. Some varieties, including a selection of Fern-leaf or Western types, offer a greater tolerance of sun and heat, their foliage and blossoms persisting for an extended period where moisture is steady.

For more information on growing Dicentra, click Growing Guide.

Shipping

Shipping

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.

Reviews

Reviews

Average Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (27 Reviews) Write a Review

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One flourished, one died

I planted two Dicentras in a part sun area. One flourished last Spring spanning 3 feet wide. It's trails were gorgeous in the Spring garden! The second one was planted closer to an evergreen shrub which I assume did not give it enough access to sunlight. I'll see if it pops up this year, but I was so impressed with the one that bloomed I didn't mind.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no  Certified buyer


Dead

Very disappointed. These sprouted and grew gangbusters for a couple of weeks. Buds began to open. Then all three plants turned yellow, collapsed and died. No root issues, no animal issues, no water issues, no fertilizer changes, no apparent reason at all.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no  Certified buyer


Bloomed right away!

I ordered three of these bare root and planted them in the spring, and they bloomed right away, their first season! I didn't expect them to bloom so soon. All three plants looked healthy and bloomed beautifully. Two of them started losing leaves and fading sometime during the summer, but the third one held on. It's October now and it's still leafy and green! I thought they died back in the summer. Now I want to see what that one is gonna look like next year, after having had such an extended active period this year!

11 of 11 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


No growth

Was so excited when my shipment arrived. I planted as directed and it’s been three weeks and no sign of growth. I ordered an Aruncus dioicus at the same time, and it has sprouted leaves and tripled in size. I sure hope this plant sprouts.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no  Certified buyer


Waste of time and money...so disappointed

I purchased these and followed the directions exactly. They never took and there is no trace of them in my garden. This is not the first time I purchased from WFF and had the same thing happen again and again.

22 of 25 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no

Next Page

Growing guide

Growing guide
Print Grow Guide

Latin Name Pronunciation: dye-sen'-truh 

These delicate-looking plants are actually sturdy and trouble-free additions to the perennial border or woodland garden. An old-fashioned beauty, Dicentra spectabilis bears arching stems of pendant, puffy heart-shaped blooms in pink or white and can grow to three feet tall and as wide where happy. The longer-blooming, shorter forms boast attractive green to blue-green foliage that is lovely in the garden from spring to fall. Both types make excellent cut flowers.

Planting: Potted Dicentra should be planted with the crown at soil level. Bareroot Dicentra spectabilis should be planted with the crown 2″ below the soil line, but the crown of smaller bareroot varieties should be 1″ below the soil line.

Light/Watering: Bleeding Heart thrives in partial to full shade, although flowering is best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Some species, such as D. formosa and hybrids, are more tolerant of sun and heat. Consistent watering is preferred by all. D. spectabilis will go dormant during dry conditions in summer.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH: These plants are at their best in evenly moist, rich soil in partial to full shade. A two-inch layer of mulch will help buffer soil moisture and keep the ground cooler. A slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0 to 6.5) is ideal, but plants will tolerate a pH up to 7.5. Apply compost or a general purpose, granular fertilizer in spring.

Pests/Diseases: Dicentra is occasionally bothered by slugs and snails, but this is rarely a serious problem. If grown in poorly drained, wet soil, the crowns of the plants may rot. Avoid these soils and allow good air circulation. Keep mulch several inches away from the base of the plants.

Companions: Dicentra is lovely with other denizens of light shade such as Aquilegia, Ferns, Tiarella, Campanula, Alchemilla, Phlox divaricata, and Pulmonaria, and truly enlivens woodland gardens. Plant D. spectabilis with Hosta or spreading perennial Geraniums, or fill in with annuals when this plant goes dormant in summer.

Reflowering: The smaller varieties of Dicentra will bloom right up until frost in temperate climates, especially if old flower stems are removed. In areas with very hot summers, flowering may stop but will resume with cooler weather. D. formosa and hybrid varieties don’t go dormant and are more apt to keep their foliage and continue blooming throughout the summer until frost. Regular removal of yellowing foliage will keep plants looking fresh.

Dividing/Transplanting: If desired, plants can be gingerly divided in early spring; gently separate the brittle roots, replanting vigorous pieces from the outer edge of the plant.

End-of-Season Care: Remove dead foliage after a killing frost in autumn, or anytime it becomes unattractive. A light mulch after the ground freezes will protect from winter heaving.

Calendar of Care

Early Spring: Apply a light application of balanced or slow-release fertilizer or side-dress with compost and organic amendments when new growth appears. Water well if it is unseasonably dry, as plants prefer evenly moist soil. Divide or transplant if needed as soon as you see new growth.

Mid-Spring: Watch for snail or slug damage and treat accordingly with baits or by handpicking. Apply a two-inch organic mulch as soon as soil warms, keeping the material away from the crowns of the plants.

Late Spring: Water regularly if the season is dry.

Summer: Plant summer annuals to fill in gaps where Dicentra spectabilis has gone dormant. Groom plants to keep them attractive by removing yellowing leaves and old flower stems.

Fall: Cut foliage back to soil level, and apply a winter mulch after the ground freezes.

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