Plant Finder

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Want to find the perfect plant for your landscape, or identify a mystery plant? Hartman Garden Center has an online Plant Finder to help you with your task. Remember, the best solution is always to talk to our plant and landscaping experts. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (952) 443-2990.

    perennial

    Common Bleeding Heart

    Dicentra spectabilis

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    Common Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) at Hartman Companies

    Common Bleeding Heart flowers

    Common Bleeding Heart flowers

    (Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

    Common Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) at Hartman Companies

    Common Bleeding Heart in bloom

    Common Bleeding Heart in bloom

    (Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

    Height:  3 feet

    Spacing:  30 inches

    Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

    Hardiness Zone:  1

    Other Names:  Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart

    Description:

    Bushy upright mounded selection features blue-green fern-like foliage and arching stems of heart shaped locket flowers with white protruding petals; excellent for shaded borders and beds; beautiful cut flower; goes into summer dormancy

    Ornamental Features

    Common Bleeding Heart features delicate nodding pink heart-shaped flowers with white tips dangling from the stems from late spring to early summer. Its ferny compound leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season.

    Landscape Attributes

    Common Bleeding Heart is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

    This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

    Common Bleeding Heart is recommended for the following landscape applications;

    • Mass Planting
    • General Garden Use

    Planting & Growing

    Common Bleeding Heart will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 30 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen! As this plant tends to go dormant in summer, it is best interplanted with late-season bloomers to hide the dying foliage.

    This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

     
     
    Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
    Characteristics
    Massing  Garden 
    Applications
    Flowers  Attracts Wildlife 
    Ornamental Features
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