Dicentra eximia
Wild or Fringed bleeding-heart, Turkey-corn.
A lovely deciduous perennial with fernlike leaves and oddly shaped flowers which is native to the Appalachian Mountains of USA. It typically grows in rocky woodlands, on forest floors and ledges at an altitude of 100m to 1200m.
In spring and summer the grey-green leaves are finely divided growing from the soft and brittle underground stem.
Flowers are typically pink to purplish red and bloom in tight clusters at the top of leafless, fleshy stems above the leaves from mid spring to autumn depending upon temperature as it flowers best in cooler conditions.
The four petals are connected at the base. The two outer petals are pouched at the base and bent back at the tips. The inner petals are perpendicular to the outer petals and connected at the tip. The pistil is enclosed within the inner petals, and the two stamen are on either side. There are two tiny, triangular, pink sepals above the petals. The protruding inner petals of the flower appear to form a drop of blood at the bottom of each heart-shaped flower (hence the common name of bleeding heart).
Seeds are borne in a pointed pod hanging down and the seeds ripen to black while the pod is still green.
It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part to almost full shade although in full shade its flowering will be less. Prefers moist soils with a mulch for the roots to spread out in. Naturalises by spreading out with its underground stems or self-seeding in favourable environments.
Genus name comes from the Greek words dis meaning twice and kentron meaning a spur for the two-spurred flowers. Specific name means distinguished or out of the ordinary.
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to aphid infestations. Good soil drainage is essential for plant survival.
A popular plant for the shade garden, Dicentra eximia is a tremendous performer. The leaves and flowers both provide form texture and colour in the garden.
Cultivars
Hybrids
A lovely deciduous perennial with fernlike leaves and oddly shaped flowers which is native to the Appalachian Mountains of USA. It typically grows in rocky woodlands, on forest floors and ledges at an altitude of 100m to 1200m.
In spring and summer the grey-green leaves are finely divided growing from the soft and brittle underground stem.
Flowers are typically pink to purplish red and bloom in tight clusters at the top of leafless, fleshy stems above the leaves from mid spring to autumn depending upon temperature as it flowers best in cooler conditions.
The four petals are connected at the base. The two outer petals are pouched at the base and bent back at the tips. The inner petals are perpendicular to the outer petals and connected at the tip. The pistil is enclosed within the inner petals, and the two stamen are on either side. There are two tiny, triangular, pink sepals above the petals. The protruding inner petals of the flower appear to form a drop of blood at the bottom of each heart-shaped flower (hence the common name of bleeding heart).
Seeds are borne in a pointed pod hanging down and the seeds ripen to black while the pod is still green.
It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part to almost full shade although in full shade its flowering will be less. Prefers moist soils with a mulch for the roots to spread out in. Naturalises by spreading out with its underground stems or self-seeding in favourable environments.
Genus name comes from the Greek words dis meaning twice and kentron meaning a spur for the two-spurred flowers. Specific name means distinguished or out of the ordinary.
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to aphid infestations. Good soil drainage is essential for plant survival.
A popular plant for the shade garden, Dicentra eximia is a tremendous performer. The leaves and flowers both provide form texture and colour in the garden.
Cultivars
- Dicentra eximia 'Alba' — white flowers
- Dicentra eximia 'Snowdrift' — larger white flowers
Hybrids
- Dicentra 'Bountiful' — rosy red flowers
- Dicentra 'King of Hearts' — pink flowers, very finely cut leaves
- Dicentra 'Luxuriant' — cherry-red flowers
- Dicentra 'Silversmith — white, pink-flushed flowers
- Dicentra 'Stuart Boothman' — Blue grey foliage and deep pink flowers