Illustration of Dicentra canadensis in An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States. Canada, and the British Possessions (1913). [Public Domain]
Genus: Dicentra
Common Names: bleeding hearts
Description coming soon.
Distribution: Eastern Asia and North America
Our Selection
Dicentra formosa
Common name(s): western bleeding heart
Description: perennial; an excellent, Oregon native, groundcover for shady or partially shady areas that will spread and form a dense colony over time. Blooms purple-red flowers from spring into early summer and sometimes again in autumn (though generally sparse). To combat drought, D. formosa will go completely summer dormant and then reemerge with the first autumn rains. Tolerant of clay and heavy soil.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 5 ft.
Position: shade to partial shade
Uses: ornamental- as a groundcover, to attract pollinators
Winter Hardiness: to 0 F and below
Drought: adapted to 3 months of summer drought