Botanical Name: Dicentra formosa
Add
Common Name: Western Bleeding Heart  
Plant photo of: Dicentra formosa
Previous Photo      Next Photo

Water Saving Tip:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio, Raised Planter

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Steve Jacobs

  • Description

  • Notes

Western bleeding heart is a hardy, moderate to low water perennial well suited to shady borders. It has deeply toothed blue-green, ferny foliage that forms mounds that grow 6 to 12 inches tall, but may slowly spread 12 to 18 inches by way of rhizomes. Medium to deep pink heart-shaped flowers hang along arching stems in late spring. This west-coast native is remarkably drought tolerant. Attracts hummingbirds but not deer.
Grow in well drained, loamy soil in part to full shade (though flowering will be less in dark shade). Deadhead spent flowers for a tidy appearance, but otherwise, it doesn't need much but a bit of regular watering. Cut back old foliage in late winter to early spring; it can also be divided then, if desired (see Guides).