Bleeding heart, or Dicentra formosa, is a lovely native woodland plant. Dicentras are perennial and will go dormant over the winter months. The leaves will begin to emerge in late March/early April. The leaves are fern-like in appearance, while the flowers are pink to purple and heart shaped (hence the name).  Dicentras bloom between April and July.

In the wild, the plants are found in shady, moist forests, along streambanks and coastal meadows. Dicentra formosa is the perfect plant for tricky shaded areas of the yard. Companion plants include sword leaf ferns and wild ginger. Will spread via rhizomes.

Water Use: Medium

Light Requirement: Part shade to full shade

Soil Moisture: Damp

Soil type: Sand, clay, loam

Soil pH: 6-8

Drought Tolerance: Moderate (will go dormant in very dry conditions)

Perennial