Asian Bleeding Heart - Dicentra Spectabilis - Compact - ORG

Some plants you only need to see once to remember them. Dicentra spectabilis, also known as the bleeding heart, is a beautiful example of this. Rows of pink flowers hang from gracefully curved stems, each shaped like a small heart with a white tip.

The fresh, finely divided green foliage forms a calm backdrop beneath them. The result is a plant that stands out without being overly assertive. Especially in a sheltered spot among other perennials, Dicentra lends the spring garden a soft and natural touch.

A Perennial for Partial Shade

Dicentra spectabilis thrives particularly well in spots that don’t receive full sun all day. Think of a border along a wall, among shrubs, or under the light shade of deciduous shrubs and trees.

Provide it with humus-rich soil that retains sufficient moisture but allows excess water to drain away. In such a spot, the plant can develop over the years into a beautiful, full clump. Eventually, Dicentra can grow to about 60 to 100 centimeters tall. This makes it perfect for the center of a border, for example, combined with ferns, hostas, and other perennials that thrive in partial shade.

Disappearing for a while is part of the process

After flowering, the foliage may turn yellow during the summer and eventually disappear entirely. This is normal and does not mean the plant has died. Dicentra retreats underground, where it conserves its energy for the next season. In the spring, the young foliage reappears and the cycle begins anew. It’s therefore a good idea to pair it with perennials that become fuller later in the season. They’ll naturally fill the space left behind when the Dicentra enters its dormant period.

The plant is delivered as a well-rooted young plant in a compact pot. Plant it in the garden and give it the space to develop undisturbed. With a nice spot and a little patience, you’ll enjoy its characteristic pink hearts every spring.