About

This clump-forming perennial about 35cm tall, with a bushy habit, very finely textured, ferny, frosted blue foliage and bright, magenta-red, heart-shaped flowers with white tips produced in nodding clusters from late spring into midsummer.

About the genus

Dicentra can be rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with attractively divided leaves and pendent, heart-shaped flowers, usually in arching panicles or racemes

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationPlant in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. Best in neutral or slightly alkaline soil, in part shade in a sheltered position
PruningPruning generally not required
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down
Pest resistanceMay be suscceptible to slugs and snails damaging emerging foliage
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free