About
This small, tuft-forming perennial, rare in cultivation, with deeply-cut, finely-lobed blue-grey leaves, about 10cm long, and white flowers to 2.5cm long in short-stemmed racemes, produced in 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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in part shade with shelter in sharply-drained soil, best in a scree or trough garden, or alpine house pot, in gritty potting compost with moisture at the roots
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down. Propagate by seed - sow seed as soon as ripe or in spring
Pest resistanceMay be suscceptible to slugs and snails damaging emerging foliage
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free