Dicentra Formosa, Western Bleeding Heart

Dicentra Formosa or Western Bleeding Heart is generally found in moist wooded areas from California to British Columbia. It is a perennial that grows from a horizontal tuber. The plant can get 18” in height and will spread to make a patch 3 ft across.

The flower has four petals in shades of pink, and occasionally purple or white. The outer two petals curve and pouch, forming a rough heart shape. It blooms in clusters atop leafless stems from mid-spring to autumn, with peak flowering in spring. The plant self-seeds readily. It frequently goes dormant for the summer after flowering, emerging and flowering again in autumn. Leaves are finely divided and fernlike, making a lacy groundcover in shady areas.

Plant it in moist areas. In warmer areas in its range, this plant prefers shade. In cooler areas, it prefers more sun. It will spread rapidly when happy, enjoying moist but not soggy woodland conditions. It tolerates dry shade where it will go dormant with drought. Provides an early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumble bees. Deer resistant.