Dicentra spectabilis – The Enchanting ‘Bleeding Heart’ of the Spring Garden
Dicentra spectabilis, commonly known as Bleeding Heart, is a timeless, romantic perennial that captivates with its arching stems adorned with delicate, heart-shaped pink flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this elegant woodland plant brings a touch of whimsy to shaded borders, cottage gardens, and woodland settings. Its graceful, fern-like foliage complements the soft pink blooms, adding texture and charm to any planting scheme.
Why Grow Dicentra spectabilis?
Unique Heart-Shaped Flowers – Beautiful, pendulous pink blooms with dainty white tips dangle like charms from gracefully arching stems.
Lovely Fern-Like Foliage – Soft, lacy green leaves create a delicate, airy texture, enhancing garden borders and shade gardens.
Thrives in Partial Shade – A must-have for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and beneath trees or shrubs.
Pollinator Friendly – Loved by bees and butterflies, making it a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.
Low Maintenance & Long-Lived – A hardy and reliable perennial that returns year after year with minimal care.
Where to Site Your Dicentra spectabilis
This shade-loving perennial thrives in dappled sunlight and rich, well-drained soil. Perfect for woodland gardens, it also works beautifully in mixed borders, alongside ferns, hostas, and astilbes. It’s ideal for softening edges, filling gaps in shady spots, and bringing an enchanting, old-world charm to any garden.
How to Grow and Care for Your Dicentra spectabilis
Soil – Prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with plenty of organic matter.
Light – Best in partial shade but can tolerate full shade. It can grow in full sun with consistent moisture.
Watering – Keep soil consistently moist, especially in dry periods, but avoid waterlogging.
Maintenance:
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Mulch & Feed – Apply a layer of mulch in spring to retain moisture and enrich the soil.
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Cut Back After Flowering – The foliage may die back in summer; simply trim back and allow it to rest until the following season.
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Divide Every Few Years – If clumps become too large, divide in early spring or autumn to maintain vigour.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Dicentra spectabilis pairs beautifully with shade-loving plants such as Hostas, Ferns, Astilbes, and Brunnera. For a romantic woodland effect, combine with Solomon’s Seal, Pulmonaria, and Primroses.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.