2-3 Litre Pot
- RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Position: Partial shade
- Soil: Moist, but well drained / Poorly drained
- Growth Rate: Average
- Flowering Period: Spring – Summer
- Hardiness: H5
- Eventual Height: 0.1 – 0.5m
- Eventual Spread: 0.5 – 1m
Dicentra Formosa Bacchanal, commonly known as ‘Bleeding Heart’ and a holder of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit, is a captivating perennial known for its striking, deep crimson heart shaped flowers that dangle gracefully from arching stems. This elegant variety, belonging to the Papaveraceae family, is admired for its delicate, fern-like, grey-green foliage which provides a lush backdrop to the vivid blooms. Typically reaching a height and spread 0.5 – 1m, it is a compact plant, making it ideal for shady garden borders, woodland gardens, and shaded rockeries.
Blooming profusely from late Spring to early Summer, it thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil with consistent moisture. It prefers partial to full shade, where its vibrant flowers and refined foliage can add a touch of elegance to darker garden areas. This low-maintenance plant is a delightful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. Whether planted en masse or as part of a mixed border it provides a beautiful and enduring display of colour and texture in shaded garden spaces.
How to care for your Dicentra Bacchanal
- Choose a spot with partial to full shade. This plant thrives in shaded areas and can tolerate some morning sun but should be protected from the harsh afternoon sun.
- Plant in well-drained, humus-rich soil. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season. It prefers evenly moist conditions but does not tolerate waterlogged soil.
- Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
- Feed the plant with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early Spring as new growth begins. Alternatively, incorporate organic matter, such as compost, into the soil annually to provide necessary nutrients.
- Remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and to maintain the plant’s appearance.
- After the flowering period, you can cut back the foliage if it starts to look tatty. However, if the foliage remains attractive, leave it until it naturally dies back in the Autumn.
- The plant will go dormant in Winter. Leave the foliage in place until it naturally dies back, then clean up the dead leaves to prepare for new growth in Spring.
- Every few years, divide the plant in early Spring or after it has finished blooming to maintain its vigour and to propagate new plants. Dig up the clump, separate the roots, and replant immediately.
By following these care tips, Dicentra Formosa Bacchanal will reward you with its charming, heart-shaped flowers and delicate foliage, adding a touch of elegance to your shaded garden areas.
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