Forum Archives
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-28-2004 at 11:34pm
To start off our first Topic of the Week (TOTW) we will begin with Dicentra spectabilis commonly called Bleeding heart.
Dicentra spectabilis and Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' or Bleeding heart as it is commonly called is a perennial in the poppy family - Papaveraceae. Native to Siberia, North China,Korea and eastern Russia with a hardiness rating of Sunset zones 1-9, 14-24 and USDA zone 3-9.
Dicentra pronounced di-ken-tra comes from the greek words dis meaning two and kentron meaning spur, which refers to the flowers having 2 spurs. Spectabilis prounounced spek-tah-bi-lis meaning spectacular. Well duh! I like to pronounce spectabilis in the same fashion as how Billy Crystal pronounces marvelous. I can hear him now. "You look mah-va-lous! You look Spek-tah-bi-lis." Too bad Bill didn't know this word when he made up that routine.
This clump forming perennial reaches a mature height of 4 feet with width of 18 inches. It flowers in late spring to early summer with rose pink outer petals that reflex back revealing the inner petals of white. Three to fifteen flowers hang on racemes that look like horizontal arching stems. The leaves are coarsely divided, soft green foliage.
D. spectabilis is best grown in partial shade but here in the maritime Northwest we can grow them in full sun if extra moisture is provided. But they do better when protected by hot mid day sun. Grow in moist, fertile, humus rich soil. I fertilize with a one time application of complete organic fertilizer and side dress with compost.
To propagate sow seed in containers and keep at temperatures of 64-71ºF (18-22ºC) for 2-4 weeks. Then move to reduced temperatures of 24-39ºF (-4 to +4ºC) for 4-6 weeks. Then move to temperatures of 41-53ºF5 (-12ºC) until the seeds germinate. Dicentras can also be propagated by root cuttings in winter or division in early spring.
Beautiful in the shade garden, good foliage that mixes well with ferns and other shade tolerant plants. Of course the beautiful well defined pink or white hearts are a good reason to grow this Bleeding heart. Mine go dormant by mid summer I grow it amongst ferns so the missing plants aren't too noticeable.
Since this is the first one please share about this plant and your experiences and how you grow it. We can add more than this species if we want. We can play it by ear and either do a specific species or broaden the scope to the whole genus. Lets see where this takes us.
Oh and you can find the above information plus photos to these dicentras in the Plant Gallery and Growing Guide under perennials here and here.
Debbie
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 12:26am
Great info, Debbie, but, good grief, I just found out I've been pronouncing the name all wrong all along (see, Linda, even those who know the latin may get it wrong anyway). I always thought it was di sen tra. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it with a hard K in the middle syllable. So if I continue to say it with an S sound, is some long dead latin fella gonna rise from the dead and correct me? LOL
I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the correct pronounciation since a good friend, trained in classical latin, pronounces the botanical name for honeysuckle as lon i care a (short vowels) and I've always said it as lon i ser a (short vowels). Then there's my friend (and ex-boss from a local nursery) who is born and raised in German - she has an even different pronounciation of botanical latin. It sometimes gets very interesting but we figure out in short order what plant the other is referring to. Then there is another friend, a local landscape designer, who makes up her own pronouciation with no regard to correct or even commonly used - but apparently wrong - pronounciations.
I have gotten to the point where I accept many different "correct" pronounciations for a plant, stop worrying about it and move on to learning about the plant.
I haven't grown this one yet but tomorrow I'll hunt down the story that goes with the plant. I know I saved it somewhere in this computer but I'm too tired to hunt for it tonight.
Thanks, Debbie, for getting this new feature started!
Lisa A
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 12:48am
I have always pronounced it di-SEN-tra so you aren't the only one. When I looked it up I was very surprised. All those Greeks and Latins are turning over in their graves by all the mispronunciations.
Debbie
Sydnie
Joined: Feb-28-2004
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 255
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 2:41am
I love mine. I had two huge ones. They were planted in sun 'til one, crud soil, good drainage. The most I did for them at that time was a bit of miricle grow once in a while. They thrived like crazy. Then boom one died over a winter and the other one came up and just looked really pathetic all summer thro' fall. It didn't really even grow. Nothing looked 'wrong' with it and nothing different was done to it or in that area. I moved it the next year to a shadier spot, better soil, a bit moister, and it seems to be coming back around, but maybe not. Hopefully this year. This will be year two moved. I was purely perplexed. (Maybe it was the cold but I don't remember now if it was a super cold winter.) At the time I thought maybe they do that normally, and are replaced by new ones from dropped seed??? If it doesn't do anything this year I am replacing it. I really liked the plants. They were gorgeous. I did have them for about 5 yrs. That was worth the 5.99. One was free. So what about cold hardiness?? If I just went by my zone I wouldn't buy the right plants for here. I usually just go by temperture when buying plants. I don't understand the zone hardiness. How can they be hardy in my zone if they would freeze here. Does it mean 'they are hardy somewhere in this zone'?? That seems idiotic to me. LOL ????
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 2:48am
I have been lusting after Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'. Much like the species in flower but this cultivar has golden foliage. But what's even better is the foliage starts out a flame color and then turns golden. By summer it is a lime green color like the color of D. 'Alba''s foliage. In the shade garden this has to be spectacular. (There's that word again.) Its foliage is sensitive to sunburn so shade is the key for 'Gold Heart'.
This cultivar was selected by Nori Pope, Hadspen Garden in Somerset, England introduced to England in 1997. You may recognise the name and know the history of Hadspen garden, or at least know a few plants that came out of that garden such as Brunnera 'Hadspen Cream'.
D. 'Gold Heart' was selected as a Great Plant Pick in 2003. You can see a great photo of it here.
If you are growing this one please let us know what you think about it and how it performs in your garden.
Debbie
growsherown
Location: Olympic Peninsula
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 6:53am
>NURSE! MEDIC! 911!
I planted a Bleeding Heart last year that I purchased from a nursery in a gallon pot. It was big and full when I planted it, and it continued to bloom and grow. Much to my sadness, this year it has yet to come up. It looks like a dead stump. I wonder if its dead, or just being lazy. I looked at my neighbors white flowering bleeding heart, and hers is showing new growth already. Is it a gonner, or should I give it some more time? I plan to replace it, and also add one next to the pond. I will look for the Gold heart too as it sounds very beautiful! Thank you, Debbie!
JeanneK
Joined: Jul-28-2003
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posts: 311
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 8:45am
I'd give your bleeding heart a bit more time. My D. Spectabilis 'Alba' just popped out of the ground a day or two ago. Prior to that there was almost no sign of it!
Thanks, Debbie for the info. AND for the correct pronunciation! It's good to know D. Spectabilis goes dormant like D. Formosa, if just a bit later. By the way, D. Formosa looking mahvelous (insert Billy Crystal intonation) all around my yard!
Jeanne
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 9:29am
Debbie, isn't Dicentra 'Gold Heart' a cross between D. spectabilis and D. formosa? I thought that's what I had read somewhere. Or perhaps I'm thinking of a different bleeding heart with gold in its variety name. I'll have to go hunt down the notebook where I wrote that info down.
Oh, forget what I said. I just did a little googling and the plant I'm thinking of is Dicentra 'King of Hearts' (no gold anywhere in its name!) a cross between D. peregrina (from Japan), D. formosa (our native) and D. eximia (East coast native). I almost bought this plant last year and probably shoulda, let's hope I don't regret it when I can't find it this year.
Dicentra spectabilis (I'll never say this again without hearing Billy Crystal in my head. ) 'Gold Heart' is lovely and one I need to add to my wish list. Thanks for the heads up.
D. formosa likes good drainage and will not tolerate saturated soils in summer. Does anyone know if D. spectabilis's needs the same? Lisa A<
Screaming Eagle
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 11:06am
Here's a story that goes with bleeding heart. It's a bit long sorry...
Ann's Story of the Bleeding Heart by Elma Lang
Ann thought she was the most unhappy girl in the world. Although she had gone to her new school for a whole week, she hadn't made a single friend.
Things might have been different if she hadn't been so frightened that first day. Some of the girls had spoken to her, but her throat had become so tight that she hadn't been able to answer them. Maybe after that the girls had though she was stuck up or unfriendly. At any rate, then had left it up to her to make the next move.
Ann stopped to pick a bouquet of lilies of the valley and bleeding hearts for her new teacher. Many were growing in the garden of her new home.
As soon as she was in their classroom after the morning bell rang, Ann took the flowers to her teacher.
"My what lovely bleeding hearts!" exclaimed Miss Johnson, smiling at Ann. "Isn't that a sad name for such pretty flowers? Why to you suppose it was given that name?"
"Don't you know the story?" asked Ann in surprise. "My mother told it to me when I was just a little girl."
"Perhaps you can tell the story to the class," suggested Miss Johnson.
Ann looked at the class and felt horrified. Then she thought, I know the story well, and I love it. Of course I should share it.
Both her hands and her knees were shaking as she broke off one of the flowers, but she bravely stood before the class and told her story. "Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess. Young men from far and near came to pay her court. But the princess was very vain and would have nothing to do with any of them. A young prince from the neighboring country fell deeply in love with her. She ignored him like th others, though he tried and tried to win her heart. One day the prince found a pair of pretty pink rabbits at the market. He sent them to the princess thinking 'these will surely melt her heart.'" Ann carefully broke off the two outside petals of the flower in her hand. She placed them on the teacher's desk. Sure enough they looked like a pair of pink rabbits. "But the princess went right on ignoring him," Ann continued with her story. "Then the prince sent her a pair of beautiful Oriental slippers." From the front and back of the flower, Ann took off the two long petals. One could easily imagine the dainty heels, the slender insteps, and the widened toes. The looked like a pair of real Oriental slippers.
Ann had to wait until the oh's and ah's of the class had quieted down before she could go on.
"Still the princess would have nothing to do with him. The young prince was so heart broken that he took his dagger and drove it into his heart." The remains of the flower in Ann's hand made the outline of a heart with a line down the center. Ann broke out the stamen, which had made the line. It looked like a dagger. She put it through the center of the heart. Ann held her hand so that the class could see the perfect heart pierced by the dagger.
Ann went on with the story. "As soon as the prince was dead, the princess realized that she had really loved him. 'As long as I live, my heart shall bleed for my prince,' she wept"
"That" finished Ann, "is the story of the bleeding heart.
"Show me how to do it," said Donna, who sat in the front seat.
"Me too, me too!" cried the other girls.
"Ann may show you at recess," Miss Johnson stated firmly.
My story has made everything all right, Ann thought happily as she went back to her desk. I won't have any trouble making friends now.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 11:13am
Thanks, Theresa, for posting this beautiful story. I completely forgot I was to look for it. Caffeine and allergy meds are making me ditzy! Hate this buzzy feeling but I guess it is better than snuffling and sneezing through the day.
Lisa A
Red Hare
Location: Oregon coast
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 11:27am
Mine's planted in shade and it's already in bloom. Maybe it didn't want to be outdone by the daffodils and tulips!
Cute story. We've almost lost our storytelling abilities, haven't we, what with television and movies making our imaginations for us.
I'd forgotten that about Latin pronunciation - Caesar should actually be pronounced "kaiser." Interesting, huh?
Jeannean
Karchita
Location: Lost
Posted: Mar-29-2004 at 6:27pm
Sydnie,
Dicentra spectabilis are hardy to about 60 below, so I doubt cold killed yours. My experience with these is that they are short lived, and you get about five good years from them before they diminish or depart. Sounds like yours were right on schedule. When you start over with new ones, they grow pretty fast.
Karchita
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-30-2004 at 8:13pm | IP 64.113.13.13
Lets expand this to include all dicentras as I think limiting to just one species will not keep this going for long. So please feel free to expand this topic.
Debbie
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-30-2004 at 8:18pm
Lisa A wrote:
Oh, forget what I said. I just did a little googling and the plant I'm thinking of is Dicentra 'King of Hearts' (no gold anywhere in its name!) a cross between D. peregrina (from Japan), D. formosa (our native) and D. eximia (East coast native). I almost bought this plant last year and probably shoulda, let's hope I don't regret it when I can't find it this year.
This is plant shouldn't be too hard to find. I bought one and it is a beauty. The dark red flowers are outstanding and you will love it. I have it in a part of the garden I don't look at too often so I would like to move it to an area where I see it more often.
Lisa A wrote:
D. formosa likes good drainage and will not tolerate saturated soils in summer. Does anyone know if D. spectabilis's needs the same?
D. spectabilis likes a moist well-drained soil. You know that soil we are always striving to create in our gardens?
Debbie
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-30-2004 at 8:23pm
Red Hare wrote:
Mine's planted in shade and it's already in bloom. Maybe it didn't want to be outdone by the daffodils and tulips!
I'd forgotten that about Latin pronunciation - Caesar should actually be pronounced "kaiser." Interesting, huh?
Wow you must be in a milder spring area if its blooming already! Interesting on the pronunciation of Caesar. So we don't need to feel bad because even Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra called him Caesar with a sssssssssssss. If Cleopatra couldn't pronounce it right who am I to argue?
Debbie
sparklemama
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 8:34am
hi guys..i love the story about bleeding hearts! it is very cute i would love to remmber it so i could show my kids..lol..they would get a kick outa it. i have d."alba" growing in my front yard. it is a three year plant and is already a foot and half tall and half that wide. the foilage is a lime green and i noticed yesterday that there are blooms it on it already. i have him planted in a garden mix and never amended the soil till this year. i fertilized in the past with a 6-10-10 granulated. it also gets sun from 7a-2p an then shade the rest of the day. i had no idea that D."alba" had lime green foilage though untill recently. i always thought there was something lacking in the soil to make such bright leaves. i would love to get the golden one. it looks beautiful! happ gardening, jenn!
Gardening is the only therapy I can afford.
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 11:46am
I need to replace my D. spectabilis 'Alba' as mine croaked last year. Someone mentioned it is short lived and I am glad they reminded us of this. I am going to add some more to this. Topic of the Week is getting off to a great start and it really works because everyone pitches in with their knowledge and/or questions and we all gain from it. Thank you!
Debbie
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 12:12pm
This is an old article I wrote about Bleeding heart a few years back and will introduce you to a few species. I added some comments today and they are in italics and not part of the article. I will add some more information about a specific species in other posts.
My Bleeding Heart -- Dicentra
If you've never seen a Bleeding Heart, please let me introduce you to a perennial dear to my heart that will thrive in your maritime Northwest garden. The common name, Bleeding Heart, may sound gruesome but Dicentras add a delicate touch to the moist woodland garden. I don't think I've ever heard a gardener speak crossly about a Bleeding heart. Most of the adjectives I hear spoken describe it as enchanting, magical, graceful, and dainty. Perhaps I only hear positive affirmations because I too am enchanted by this delightful perennial.
I particularly enjoy its ferny, lacy foliage that teams well with ferns and other woodland plants. Its airiness goes well with large foliage plants such as bergenias. The flowers are like delicate jewels shaped like hearts, usually set just above the foliage. D. spectabilis seems to dance in the slightest breeze with its long stream of hearts dangling from arching stems. The flowers of D. spectabilis 'Alba' (photo top right) are like a string of pearls.
Dicentra formosa -- Western Bleeding Heart Our native Bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa, thrives along the Pacific Northwest Coast in moist woods. I have seen it growing along the edges of woodlands, next to roads and thriving in drainage ditches. Recently on a walk through my neighborhood, I came across a stand of Salmon Berries carpeted with our native dicentra. Both were blooming at the same time, and I felt as if I was walking through a magical garden protected by a canopy of trees.
In late spring this variety's buds open, displaying pale or deep rose pink flowers on arching stems held well above the blue-green fern-like foliage. It self seeds in the garden, creating wonderful stands of bleeding hearts.
D. formosa 'Bacchanal'
Its hearts are a deep maroon held above finely cut gray-green leaves. This variety does best in well drained soil in a woodland setting. I remember seeing this grow at the base of large leaf Rhododendrons (Elepidotes) a few years ago. The lacy foliage of the dicentra blanketing the ground underneath the Rhododendron contrasted with the rhodo's bold leaves. This foliage effect looks great even when the plants aren't in bloom, a look I am duplicating in my garden.
* 'Adrian Bloom' - rose-red
* 'Aurora' - white
* 'Langtrees' - white
* 'Silver Smith' - pure white
* 'Zestful' - deep rose
D. eximia - Fringed Bleeding Heart
The eastern sister to our native D. formosa grows along woodland edges and blooms for a long period in early spring. It then flowers intermittently the rest of the growing season. I have this growing in my garden with Rhododendrons, ferns and helleborus that will soon be under a canopy of a fast growing Dogwood tree.
* 'Alba' - white
* 'Brownie'- pink-brown buds open to pure white flowers
* 'Snowdrift' - everblooming large pure white flowers
* 'Stuart Boothman'- pink
* D. 'Snowflakes'
D. 'Snowflakes' a new introduction from Blooms of Bressingham of North America. They report it generally keeps its foliage throughout the summer. As its name implies it has white hearts carried above its ferny foliage from mid spring throughout the summer if you faithfully trim off spent flowers. 'Snowflakes' compact 10 inches in height by 10 inches in width should be another welcome addition to your garden.
D. macrocapnos - Vine Bleeding Heart
When I found a Dicentra vine in a plant catalog, I decided I had to have it. I added the vine to my garden two years ago but couldn't find any references on how to grow it. I planted the vine in a position in my garden where other varieties of dicentras would thrive. It now climbs our wood shed with ease. I haven't seen it flower yet, but the foliage looks outstanding. I hope to see the yellow hearts this spring and perhaps some rosy-white, oval fruit next fall. I plan to take cuttings of it this year and place it in other parts of my garden. If it doesn't flower this year some of the rooted cuttings will be tested in a sunnier position. This Dicentra grows fifteen feet tall and dies completely back to the ground after a hard frost. The following Spring it starts to grow again and I direct the twining vine up the shed posts. Fast forward to 2004 -- This plant is now deceased because of poor drainage and I still want to replace it but having hard time finding it again. I did get D. Scandens this year.
D. scandens
Another twining bleeding heart, this species has fine textured foliage and yellow with purple to pink tipped flowers. This does well in partial shade. I am tempted to add this one when I find a vertical surface for it to grow.
D. macrantha
More yellow hearts for the garden, but this one doesn't twine. Heronswood Nursery proudly lists it as a rare plant in cultivation. Yellow stems support ferny foliage and 3-4 inch (!) creamy-yellow flowers. Perhaps this will find a place in my garden soon! I planted one 2 years ago and so far so good.
D. spectabilis - Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart
We can't forget the Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart. It is worth growing for its well-defined red hearts. I grow both the red one and 'Alba' in a position where their absence in summer (if they go dormant) is not a problem. A new perennial coming to the Americas out of England is D. spectabilis 'Gold Heart'. Stems of pink hearts reaches three feet tall. Already on my wish list for this year, I hope to add it to my shade garden. It didn't happen, best laid plans and all. Its foliage will burn in full sun.
D. cucullaria - Dutchman's Breeches
The Dutchman's Breeches is aptly named, for its flowers look like upside down pants. The only fault I can find with it is that it dies back to the ground when the heat of summer arrives. But it's worth growing for its white-tipped yellow pants in the woodland or shady garden.
Be careful because a dicentra may find a way into your heart, but that's okay if it finds a way into your garden.
Debbie
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 1:22pm
Thanks Karchita. Time to get some more. So glad I didn't cause it. LOL. They are beautiful! Growsherown I like that by the pond idea.... Hmmmm. Believe it or not I did not know that their were different ones. Except for white. I knew there was native dicentra formosa- western bleeding heart, its included in my yard. I think that is right. I have to agree that the dicentra 'king of hearts' is something else. I must of had the dicentra spectabillus Old Fashion Bleeding Heart near as I can figure. Boy this will be like learning a new language. I am printing all the info to study it. It take me a while to learn this. But it will be worth the effort!
WARNING: THIS SITE MAY CAUSE YOU TO BUY MORE PLANTS!!!
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 2:28pm
Dicentra 'Luxuriant' has the common name Luxuriant Fringed Bleeding Heart. This perennial hybrid is thought to be a cross between D. eximia, an eastern U.S. native and D. formosa, a western U.S. native. Both species have produced many named hybrids including this one. It was one of the first plants ever patented. This plant can bloom through August if you pick spent flowers and supplement water during our drought season.
Its hardiness zones are - Sunset zones 1-9, 14-24 and USDA zones 4-8. It mature size is 12 inches high by about 18 inches wide. It flowers between mid pring to mid summer. Racemes of red heart-shaped flowers are held above deeply cut, fern like, gray-green foliage on arching stems.
This hybrid likes partial shade but can take full sun if extra moisture is provided. Grow in moist, fertile, well drained, humus rich soil.
I am not sure if the patent is still on this plant if it is you legally can not propagate this plant. Normal propagation for most dicentra hybrids are the following. Root cuttings in winter, divide in early spring or stem cutting in spring.
Aphids, slugs and snails may be a problem although I have not seen them be a serious problem with my plants.
I observe hummingbirds visiting this plant in my garden. Bees love it too.
Debbie
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 2:39pm
The last one from me is Dicentra formosa, common name - Western bleeding heart our native bleeding heart. A perennial that is hardy in Sunset zones 1-9,14-24 and USDA zones 4-8. Mature height is 18 inches with a width of 24 inches.
Normally flowering from mid spring to early summer of pink heart-shaped flowers on racemes held on arching stems above the blue-green, fern-like foliage. It does spread by underground rhizomes but it is not hard to keep under control.
Our native bleeding heart likes shade to full sun in our maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest. It likes humus rich, moist but well drained soil. Who doesn't?
To propagate sow seed in containers and keep at temperatures of 64-71ºF (18-22ºC) for 2-4 weeks. Then move to reduced temperatures of 24-39ºF (-4 to +4ºC) for 4-6 weeks. Then move to temperatures of 41-53ºF5 (-12ºC) until the seeds germinate. You can also divide mature plants in early spring or after plant has gone dormant.
This beautiful Northwest native should find a place in everyone's garden. In the wild I have seen D. formosa growing under our native Salmon berries at the same time and love the scene as well as the hummingbirds I bet!
Debbie
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Mar-31-2004 at 8:29pm
The Royal Horticulture Society Awards of Merit
Name...................... Award of Merit
Dicentra 'Bacchanal'...... 2002
D. 'Langtrees'............ 1993
D. 'Luxuriant'............ 1993
D. spectabilis............ 1993
D. 'Alba'................. 1993
D. 'Stuart Boothman'...... 1993
Pacific Northwest's Great Plant Picks
Name....................... Great Plant Picks
D. spectabilis 'Gold Heart'. 2003
Since our climate is similiar to England's their awards should have great merit here in the PNW. Our own "Great Plant Picks" are chosen for plants that have outstanding performance in our PNW gardens.
Debbie
Phlox
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Apr-05-2004 at 10:17pm
I'm getting in on this discussion a little late but still wanted to say...my d.spectabilis 'old fashioned' and its 'alba' are in their second year in my garden and are about 8 to 10 inches high right now and both look very healthy. Right now they are getting morning and early afternoon sun but will have more shade as the leaves come on the trees around them. I am expecting both of them to do really well this year as they bloomed very nicely last, and am hoping they get quite a bit bigger this summer as they are still fairly small plants.
I also have some of our natives tucked in here and there around the gardens and they are making my (semi) woodland gardens look even more woodlandly (is that a word or did I just make a new one?). I love them all and will probably be getting more of them as I expand my gardens.....would also like to try one of the climbing ones on my wishing well.....the 'gold heart' would also look great in my garden.
I also didn't know there were so many different kinds.... Linda
........Linda........
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Apr-18-2004 at 1:18am
I found some information on Dicentra 'King of Hearts'. The information was posted by Diane Whitehead on the Alpine List. Thought some of you would be very interested in a portion of the email about the back ground of this plant.
"The original cross was by Marion Ownbey ... eminent botanist from Washington State University who is probably best known for his monograph on Calochortus].
Terra Nova (out of Oregon) received a collection of the original plants from Marion Ownbey's son. There were a number of clones that were very similar which had been growing in an empty lot across from his house. They had survived with little care or water, but many had a hard to kill virus. Terra Nova chose a healthy one for tissue culture.
The pollen parent was D. peregrina.
The hybrid never sets seed and never runs. It has a strong change of flower color in higher temperatures, later in the year, the color getting lighter and lighter with heat. "
There are two forms out there being sold as King of Hearts from what I can gather. One is coarser like our native bleeding heart and the other is describe as above.
Debbie
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton