Dicentra Growing Guide

Planting Dicentra

Plant in spring after the last frost.
Keep plants cool until planting and be careful that they do not dry out.
Plant in the shade - morning sun is fine, but afternoon sun will be too hot.
Add compost or peat humus to enrich and loosen the soil, if needed.
Plant so that the crown and roots are completely covered and the tips of dormant eyes are just below the surface.
Water thoroughly after planting.

Growing Dicentra

Plants thrive in well-drained moist soils with plenty of humus.
Grow under shrubs or evergreen trees and protect from strong winds.
Once planted the addition of organic mulch will help retain moisture in the soil as well as keeping down the weeds.

Care Dicentra

Bleeding hearts are quite drought-resistant once established, but will go dormant in summer if not provided enough moisture.
These plants are ideal when planted amid patches of spring-flowering bulbs, as their foliage will obscure the bulb foliage as it dies back.
Plants are sensitive to chemicals and heavy fertilizers.

Winterizing Dicentra

Foliage should be cut back in the fall.
For new plants, provide a winter mulch of evergreen boughs or salt marsh hay after the ground freezes to help prevent heaving.