Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in family Fumariaceae, comprising 8 species. It is native to Asia (one species) and North America. The common name comes from the appearance of the pink flower, which resembles the shape of a heart symbol with a drop of blood descending.
Dicentra has stems that lack leaves and all leaves are in a basal rosette. It is easily distinguished from other genera by its bi-symmetrical heart-shaped flowers. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. Dicentra is good for rock gardens.
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart, Dutchman's Breeches) bears racemes of rose-pink, locket -like flowers with white inner petals in late spring and early summer. D. spectabilis 'Alba' has pure white flowers.
Dicentra formosa (western bleeding heart or Pacific bleeding heart) is a self-seeded plant, found in moist wooded areas from California to British Columbia. The plant can reach a height of 0.5 m. It forms a dense clump of ferny, mid-green leaves with clusters of flowers borne on reddish stems from late spring to early summer. The flower has four petals between 1-2 cm long in shades of purple to pink to nearly white. The outer two petals curve and pouch, forming a rough heart shape. There are two subspecies, Dicentra formosa subsp, formosa, and Dicentra formosa subsp. oregana.
Plant Dicentra in partial shade, in fertile, moisture-retentive, neutral to alkaline soil. Propagation is by ripe seed; division in early spring; or root cuttings in winter. Slugs and snails are pests that can affect the growth of the plant.
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