Dicentra formosa Bacchanal (Pacific Bleeding Heart)
Award-winner Dicentra formosa ‘Bacchanal’ (Pacific Bleeding Heart) is a spreading rhizomatous perennial adorned with a gray-green, finely divided foliage and short racemes of nodding, heart-shaped, deep crimson flowers. Blooming from late spring to early summer, the flowers dangle gracefully above the lush foliage mound.
Award-winner Dicentra formosa 'Bacchanal' (Pacific Bleeding Heart) is a spreading rhizomatous perennial adorned with a gray-green, finely divided foliage and short racemes of nodding, heart-shaped, deep crimson flowers. Blooming from late spring to early summer, the flowers dangle gracefully above the lush foliage mound. Flowering will stop in the heat of the summer and may start again in late summer to early fall. A reliable performer that is excellent for edging, rock gardens or as a groundcover.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding merits
- Grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm). Unlike Common Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), it will not go dormant in midsummer as long as the soil is kept moist.
- Thrives in part shade and is easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, neutral or slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soils. It can be grown in full sun in the coolest part of its range provided the soil is kept consistently moist.
- Great for edging, rock gardens, underplanting shrubs or as a ground cover
- No serious pest or disease issues. Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Propagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down.
- If ingested, all parts may cause stomach upset, the foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Bleeding Heart plants are not only toxic to humans but animals as well. Although aesthetically pleasing, this plant contains soquinoline alkaloids. Alkaloids negatively affect animals, most commonly cattle, sheep, and dogs.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3 – 9 |
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Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Dicentra – Bleeding Hearts |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 20″ (50cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |