About

A spreading, clump-forming perennial about 45cm tall, with finely-cut, mid-green leaves, grey-green beneath, and white flowers to 2.5cm long, carried in sprays, in late spring and early summer.

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

SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Clay, Chalk
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-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 usesCottage 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
PruningGenerally not required
PropagationPropagate by division or root cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free