Dicentra eximia (fringed bleeding heart) — perennial

Overview

Dicentra eximia is a perennial in the genus Dicentra, part of the Q144723 family. It typically grows around 0.4 m tall. Dicentra eximia grows best in full shade, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include shade garden, woodland garden and borders. It is native to E North America.

About

Dicentra eximia is a herbaceous perennial with finely divided, grey-green leaves and clusters of pendant pink flowers. It reaches about 0.4 m high and bears flowers on slender, mostly leafless stems. Flowering occurs from April to June. Plants suit shaded, moist spots where roots stay cool.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dicentra eximia

About the genus

Dicentra, known collectively as the bleeding-hearts, is a genus containing eight species of herbaceous flowering perennial plants with unique, "heart"-shaped flowers and finely divided foliage. The species are, primarily, native to North America, although several are found in temperate East Asia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Dicentra", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dicentra

In the garden

Dicentra eximia is a perennial from eastern North America that belongs to the genus Dicentra. It forms a low clump of finely divided, grey-green foliage with slender stems that carry the distinctive pink, pendant flowers. Expect it to reach roughly 0.4 m when in leaf and bloom in spring. Position it in full shade or a consistently shaded aspect where soil remains moist but well drained; it tolerates sandy, loamy or clay soils so long as water does not pool around the crown. It is rated H7 in the UK, so it is fully hardy, and corresponds broadly to USDA zones 3–9 for gardeners outside the UK. Planting near larger shrubs or in a woodland border helps keep its roots cool and sheltered. Use Dicentra eximia in a shade garden, woodland garden or the front of a border where its spring display can be seen from close up. The pink flowers appear on mostly leafless stems above the divided foliage from April to June, offering clear late-spring interest in shaded parts of the garden.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Dicentra

Sunlight: Full shade
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy, Clay
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Exposure: shade
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Dicentra eximia size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial
Height: 0.4 m
Suggested uses: shade garden, woodland garden, borders
Native to: E North America

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Dicentra eximia

Cultivation: Prefers moist, well-drained soil in shaded areas; mulch to retain moisture
Pruning: Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming; cut back after flowering to tidy
Propagation: Division, seed

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Dicentra eximia?

Prefers moist, well-drained soil in shaded areas; mulch to retain moisture.

Where is the best place to plant Dicentra eximia?

Dicentra eximia prefers full shade. It suits shade positions.

What soil does Dicentra eximia need?

Dicentra eximia is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

How do I prune Dicentra eximia?

Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming; cut back after flowering to tidy.

How big does Dicentra eximia grow?

Dicentra eximia reaches a height of 0.4 m.

Is Dicentra eximia hardy in the UK?

Dicentra eximia has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Dicentra eximia?

Division, seed.

More in the Dicentra genus

Browse all Dicentra →