Dicentra canadensis

RHS Plant Profile
squirrel corn

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming tuberous perennial about 30cm in height with finely cut greyish-green leaves. Fragrant white flowers to 2.5cm long, tinged with pale purple, in mid-late spring; from damp woods in North America

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Dicentra can be rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with attractively divided leaves and pendent, heart-shaped flowers, usually in arching panicles or racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

This species needs neutral to slightly acid moist soil in partial shade, in a sheltered site

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe or in spring, or by division in spring or after the leaves have died down

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be suscceptible to slugs and snails damaging emerging foliage

Diseases

Generally disease-free