White Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Perennial
- Crisp white heart-shaped blooms gracefully adorn this garden classic.
- Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this shade-loving perennial.
- A great choice for woodland and rock gardens.
- Zone 3-9, Shade to part sun, 3' tall and wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
UNABLE TO SHIP TO: CANADA
Description
Bleeding hearts are a classic perennial for a good reason! Not only are they reliable and easy to grow, but they're also typically avoided by deer and rabbits, making them an excellent choice for gardeners of any skill.
Details
Common name: Bleeding heart, Old fashioned bleeding heart
Zone: 3 – 9
Sun exposure: Part sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (< 4 hours sun)
Height x width: 3' x 3'
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Late spring through summer
Bloom time: Late spring, early summer
Features: Rabbit resistant, deer resistant, container plants, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, container planting, massing, ornamental, rock garden, edging, underplanting
How to Grow
Light: Grows best in part sun (4-6 hours sun) but can handle full shade (< 4 hours sun). Will have fewer flowers when grown in shade, so part sun is recommended.
Water: Thrives with average moisture. It prefers moist soils that do not dry out during summer, but does not tolerate wet soils in winter.
Spacing: 2-3 ft.
Fertilizing: It does not require fertilization in nutrient rich soils. However, if the soil is low in nutrients, apply a small amount of all-purpose garden fertilizer in the spring.
Winterizing: Cut foliage back in the winter and apply a thin layer of mulch to insulate the roots.
Maintenance & pruning: After the flowers fade, cut the flower stems back to keep the planting looking tidy and promote more blooms.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.