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Squirrel Corn Dicentra

Other plants called Squirrel Corn:

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

Dicentra is a genus of eight species of annual and herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the poppy family (Papaveraceae).  They are native to moist woodland areas in North America and western Asia 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:
  • 'Amore Pink'
    Hoards of sweet, pink flowers
  • Dicentra formosa 'Adrian Bloom'
    Compact with crimson-rose flowers.
  • Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal'
    Deep wine-red flowers.
  • Dicentra formosa 'Burning Hearts'
    Bright rose-red flowers lined in white, extended bloom season.
  • Dicentra formosa 'Ivory White'
    Ivory white flowers. In cooler weather, reblooming may occur.
  • Dicentra formosa 'King of Hearts'
    Compact, sterile hybrid with rich carmine-rose flowers
'Amore Pink', Dicentra formosa 'Adrian Bloom', Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal', Dicentra formosa 'Burning Hearts', Dicentra formosa 'Ivory White', Dicentra formosa 'King of Hearts'
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#pink flowers#lacy leaves#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#cascading#deer resistant#delicate#slug resistant#spring interest#border front#understory planting#walkway planting#shade flowers#heavy shade tolerant#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Amore Pink'
    Hoards of sweet, pink flowers
  • Dicentra formosa 'Adrian Bloom'
    Compact with crimson-rose flowers.
  • Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal'
    Deep wine-red flowers.
  • Dicentra formosa 'Burning Hearts'
    Bright rose-red flowers lined in white, extended bloom season.
  • Dicentra formosa 'Ivory White'
    Ivory white flowers. In cooler weather, reblooming may occur.
  • Dicentra formosa 'King of Hearts'
    Compact, sterile hybrid with rich carmine-rose flowers
'Amore Pink', Dicentra formosa 'Adrian Bloom', Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal', Dicentra formosa 'Burning Hearts', Dicentra formosa 'Ivory White', Dicentra formosa 'King of Hearts'
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#pink flowers#lacy leaves#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#cascading#deer resistant#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:
    North America and Asia
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    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:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    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:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Rabbits
    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