Dicentra spectabilis
Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart
Dicentra spectabilis is a clump-forming perennial valued for its graceful, arching form and pendulous pink heart-shaped flowers with white inner petals that hang in rows along the stems in spring, creating a classic cottage-garden display, with soft blue-green, fern-like foliage that often goes dormant in summer heat and may yellow before dying back.
Mature Size:
Width: 24–36 in
Height: 24–36 in
USDA Zones: 3a–8b (best performance in cooler climates; benefits from shade and consistent moisture)
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Blooms: Pink heart-shaped flowers with white centers in mid to late spring
Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil
Water: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
🌸 Landscape Uses
Woodland gardens, shade borders, cottage gardens, specimen plantings
🌼 Attracts & Tolerances
Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Tolerances: Deer resistant, shade
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Height
- 24-36''
- Width
- 24-36''
- Hardiness zones
- 3–8
- Sunlight
- Full Shade, Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom time
- Early Summer, Late Spring
- Flower color
- Pink
- Leaf color
- Green
- Fall color
- Green
- Attracts
- Butterflies
- Soil
- Loamy, Well Drained
- Shape
- Arching
- Deer resistant
- Yes
- Drought tolerant
- No
Plant photos (1)
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