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Wild Bleeding Heart Dicentra eximia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Dielytra eximia
Phonetic Spelling
dy-SEN-trah eks-IH-mee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Fringed bleeding heart is a beautiful, native perennial plant occurring on forest floors, rocky woods and ledges in the Appalachian Mountains. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and does not like wet winter soil. The fern-like foliage and blooms appear in spring and bloom time can continue into summer. In hot climates, it may stop blooming in summer and rebloom in fall.

It can naturalize by seed dispersal by ants if happy so it does well in naturalized areas, native, rock and shade gardens. All parts of this plant are toxic if consumed in large quantities. This plant is classified as a NC Significantly Rare species.

Family name Papaveraceae (formerly Fumariaceae)

Quick ID Hints:

  • Heart-shaped pink to purple flowers
  • Fernlike, finely dissected, ternately decompound leaves
  • Inflorescence erect-spreading, flowers pendulous

Herbaceous perennial to 1.5', arching habit. 

Blooms late spring to fall; lacy foliage are fern-like in appearance; flower scapes bear numerous "hearts"; used in perennial garden, rock gardens, shade garden. 

Prefers moist, partial shade with good drainage; tolerates full sun if given plenty of water; pest/disease problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Dolly Sods'
  • 'Luxuriant'
    Bluish green leaves and deep pink, small flowers
'Dolly Sods', 'Luxuriant'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#poisonous#pink flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#native garden#cascading flowers#small flowers#naturalizes#fern-like#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#fantz#larval host plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#hot pink flowers#HS302#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Dolly Sods'
  • 'Luxuriant'
    Bluish green leaves and deep pink, small flowers
'Dolly Sods', 'Luxuriant'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#poisonous#pink flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#native garden#cascading flowers#small flowers#naturalizes#fern-like#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#fantz#larval host plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#hot pink flowers#HS302#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dicentra
    Species:
    eximia
    Family:
    Papaveraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    PA & WV, s. to NC & TN in mountains
    Distribution:
    GA , IL , MA , MD , MI , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit a many-seeded capsule. Fruit becomes available July-August
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Urn
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 inch heart-shaped flowers in an elongated, terminal cluster are white or pale to deep pink. Bloom time is April to July with a possible fall bloom period. Erect-spreading, scapose or axillary raceme with secund flowers. Pink to purple, pendulous; sepals 2, minute; outer petals 2, heart-shaped, laterally compressed, pouched and spurred at base with tips reflexed; inner petals white and exserted.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Deltoid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 2-pinnately divided with the ultimate segments deeply lobed and fern-like. Basal leaves ternately decompound and dissected, stem leaves dissected; fernlike and long-petioled.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Acaulescent or with upright stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing if eaten in large quantities. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap is mild and short-lasting.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Several isoquinolone alkaloids.c
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems