Dicentra spectabilis 'Valentine' - Bleeding Heart cultivar

Sizes available: True gallon

Basics: zones 3-8, 24-30" x 30", part sun to part shade, vivid red flowers on dark, reddish stems, can endure a bit more sun than other Dicentra spectabilis cultivars and goes dormant a bit later, too. Is somewhat drought tolerant.

Synonym: Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Valentine'

Common names: The species has many common names including Bleeding Heart, Locks and Keys, Lyre Flower, Heart Flower, Lady-in-a-Bath, Purse Peony (China), Gold Bag Flower (Japan).

Family: Papaveraceae

Origin/Distribution: Species is native to eastern Asia: Siberia, Japan, northern China, Korea. 'Valentine' was discovered as a chance seedling in British Columbia, Canada in 2005.

Habitat: Prefers moist, open shade such as woodlands and woods openings and edges, but also grows in grasslands where it may go summer dormant and its roots are shaded by larger growing plants.

More: This is a classy cut flower. I have it growing under mature oaks in my own garden and it is doing very well. More compact than the species. Bleeding Hearts are juglone, rabbit, and deer resistant.

Source: Van Berkum

Image credit: Honey Petal Plants