We're offering you a Dicentra Pink or White Plants for £6.99, saving you up to 42% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £11.99 (correct as of 23.12.2025).

Add Romance & Elegance with Dicentra spectabilis

The Dicentra spectabilis, also known as Bleeding Heart, is a classic herbaceous perennial celebrated for its arching stems adorned with pendulous, heart-shaped flowers in soft pink or pure white. Native to woodland areas of East Asia, this plant adds instant charm and structure to shaded borders and cottage-style gardens.

• Botanical Name: Dicentra spectabilis
• Common Name: Bleeding Heart
• Flower Colour: Pink or White (variety supplied at random)
• Mature Height & Spread: Up to 75cm tall x 60cm wide
• Flowering Period: April to June (often extending into summer)
• Award: RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM)

Why Choose Dicentra spectabilis?

• Eye-catching blooms: Distinctive heart-shaped flowers hang in rows along arching stems, creating a captivating focal point.
• Reliable perennial: Returns year after year, forming larger clumps for increased garden impact.
• Extended interest: Fern-like foliage provides texture even after flowering finishes.

Growing Guide & Care Instructions

• Position: Plant in partial shade; tolerates full shade but flowers best with some morning sun.
• Soil: Prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Neutral to slightly acidic pH is ideal.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season.
• Caring for your plant: Mulch annually in autumn with compost or leaf mould. Cut back spent foliage after it yellows in summer. No pruning required beyond removing dead stems.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK (USDA zones 3–9).

Design Tips & Companion Planting

• Create woodland borders: Combine with ferns, hostas, pulmonarias, and brunnera for a lush, layered effect.
• Cottage garden favourite: Plant alongside aquilegias and primroses for classic spring displays.
• Pots & containers: Suitable for large containers in shaded patios or balconies.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant Dicentra spectabilis?
  The best time to plant is autumn or early spring when the soil is workable and moist.
• How fast does Dicentra grow?
  This perennial establishes quickly and will typically reach full size within two to three seasons, forming larger clumps each year.
• What type of soil does it prefer?
  The plant thrives in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. It performs best in neutral to slightly acidic conditions.