Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database


Dicentra formosa ssp. formosa (Bleeding Heart)

 

Kingdom

 Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom

 Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision

 Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division

 Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class

 Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass

 Magnoliidae

Order

 Papaverales

Family

 Fumariaceae – Fumitory family

Genus

 Dicentra Bernh. – bleeding heart

Species

 Dicentra formosa (Haw.) Walp. – Pacific bleeding heart

Subspecies

 Dicentra formosa (Haw.) Walp. ssp. formosa – Pacific bleeding heart

Note: Throughout the years I've written short articles for our website's home pages (home pages are the front page of a website) about these plants. They are now included at the bottom of this page, and are illustrated by botanical drawings and paintings, some of which are from books published from 1500 - 1900.

This beautiful perennial is native to the Pacific Northwest (USDA 7-10).

It is very similar to the cultivated varieties but has a substantially longer bloom time. In fact, it remains in flower all through the spring and summer.

Fleshy textured, deeply cut leaves are as delicate as lace, and pendant, pink to purple flowers have gentle fragrance.

Bleeding Heart likes shady, moist areas and makes an excellent understory plant.

I fell in love with this plant at the tender age of 4, and it remains a personal favorite over 60 years later.

A must for every garden.

         

From Homepage May 21, 2008

Though the recent weather can only be classified as HOT, the northwest native Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa ssp. formosa) still thrives in its shady habitat.

This wild perennial is very similar to cultivated varieties but its blooms last much longer, often flowering through spring and summer.

The leaves are lacy and delicate. Flowers are pink to purple, pendant and slightly fragrant. I have cut both leaf and bloom for indoor bouquets with some success. The fleshy leaves demand a lot of water when cut.

Bleeding Heart is a natural understory plant and thrives in moist, shady locations. Naturally occurring in USDA zones 7-10. Perfect for that little shady spot you can't think what to do with. Spreads slowly to fill in blank places in the garden.

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