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Dicentra

Phonetic Spelling
dy-SEN-trah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Dicentra is a genus of over 20 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the Papaveraceae family.  They are native to moist woodland areas in North America and typically grow to a height and width of 1 foot.

Plant in partial to full shade in rich well-draining moist soils.  Tolerant of the deepest shade these plants resemble ferns with their deeply divided lacey leaves, but unlike ferns they flower often with two-toned heart-shaped blooms, hence the common name bleeding heart.  

These low maintenance flowering plants add a pop of cheery color to a shade garden and are resistant to damage by slugs.  Plant in a woodland garden in a border front along a walkway or tucked in an understory planting.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Adrian Bloom'
    Compact with crimson-rose flowers.
  • 'Amore Pink'
    Hoards of sweet, pink flowers
  • 'Bacchanal'
    Deep wine-red flowers.
  • 'Burning Hearts'
    Bright rose-red flowers lined in white, extended bloom season.
  • 'Ivory White'
    Ivory white flowers. In cooler weather, reblooming may occur.
  • 'King of Hearts'
    Compact, sterile hybrid with rich carmine-rose flowers
'Adrian Bloom', 'Amore Pink', 'Bacchanal', 'Burning Hearts', 'Ivory White', 'King of Hearts'
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#pink flowers#lacy leaves#low maintenance#NC native#summer flowers#cascading#delicate#slug resistant#spring interest#border front#understory planting#walkway planting#shade flowers#heavy shade tolerant#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Adrian Bloom'
    Compact with crimson-rose flowers.
  • 'Amore Pink'
    Hoards of sweet, pink flowers
  • 'Bacchanal'
    Deep wine-red flowers.
  • 'Burning Hearts'
    Bright rose-red flowers lined in white, extended bloom season.
  • 'Ivory White'
    Ivory white flowers. In cooler weather, reblooming may occur.
  • 'King of Hearts'
    Compact, sterile hybrid with rich carmine-rose flowers
'Adrian Bloom', 'Amore Pink', 'Bacchanal', 'Burning Hearts', 'Ivory White', 'King of Hearts'
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#pink flowers#lacy leaves#low maintenance#NC native#summer flowers#cascading#delicate#slug resistant#spring interest#border front#understory planting#walkway planting#shade flowers#heavy shade tolerant#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dicentra
    Family:
    Papaveraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    USA
    Edibility:
    All plant parts are poisonous
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Inedible
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Elongated, terminal cluster, each nodding with 2 spurs on the upper side
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    2-pinnately divided, the ultimate segments deeply lobed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Flower stems are leafless.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Slugs
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Several isoquinolone alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems