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Herbaceous Perennial

Dicentra formosa subsp. oregana

Oregon bleeding heart

A spreading rhizomatous perennial with abundant, long lobed leaves which are 10-45cm and grey above and beneath. Pendulous cream flowers, occasionally yellow with pink tips, are borne on branching, arching stems in late spring and early summer

Synonyms
Dicentra oregana
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Yellow Pink Grey Silver
Summer Grey Silver
Autumn Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
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
USA (SW Oregon to N California)

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. Best in neutral or slightly alkaline soil, in part shade with shelter

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Pruning generally not required

Pests

May be suscceptible to slugs and snails damaging emerging foliage

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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