Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) is a plant that has always fascinated me, and this one I photographed is doing so much better in its container than the other one I have planted in the ground. They like partial shade, and will tolerate sun with a moist, well drained soil. The heart shaped flowers of these perennials come out in spring and they are ideal for a woodland or shady garden planted with ferns. Clumps of dicentra remain compact for many years and do not need dividing, which is just as well because they have brittle roots and do not like disturbance.
My other bleeding heart plant was moved from a container to a bed under the tree, where it will eventually be joined with a white 'alba' variety to lighten up that shady corner. I do prefer these pink and white old cottage garden favourites though, and love the way the flowers hang like pendants on the arching stems. Bleeding heart is a native of northern China, Japan, Korea and became established in England around 1846. The bushy clumps can grow to about 3ft tall and will go dormant in the summer unless the weather is cool and moist. Ideal for beginners and needing no special treatment, just some topping up with well rotted manure, compost or leafmould in the spring.
It will leave a gap in your border until it comes up again in the spring, so maybe plant some autumn flowering bulbs to fill the gap.
This is definitely a favourite and one that I would miss if I didn't have it. I would like the flowers to last longer, but April to June isn't too short a time. I took the above photo on 1st July, and as we have had such cool and damp weather so far they may continue for a bit longer. It is always useful to have attractive plants that can thrive in the shadier areas, and this one is planted where it gets the morning sun only as my neighbours' tall hedge blocks the afternoon sun from my front garden.
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