Scientific Name
Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp.
Synonym(s)
Corydalis canadensis, Bicuculla canadensis, Bikukulla canadensis, Capnorchis canadensis, Diclytra canadensis
Common Name(s)
Squirrel Corn
Scientific Classification
Family: Papaveraceae
Subfamily: Fumarioideae
Tribe: Fumarieae
Subtribe: Corydalinae
Genus: Dicentra
Origin
Dicentra canadensis is native to deciduous woodland in eastern North America.
Flower
Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mid-spring to fall
Description
Dicentra canadensis is a herbaceous perennial with small, yellow, clustered bulblets that look like kernels of corn, finely dissected leaves, and white, heart-shaped flowers. It is a spring ephemeral, leafing out and flowering in spring and going dormant in summer.
How to Grow and Care for Dicentra canadensis
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 3a to 8b: from -40°F (-40°C) to 20°F (-6.7°C).
Bleeding Heart grows in full sun in a moist, cool climate, but it needs some shade in warmer, drier climates. Keep plants well-watered throughout the summer, especially in warmer weather. Even then, they may be ephemeral and disappear until the fall or next spring. If you've recently planted your Bleeding Heart, mark the spot so you don't accidentally dig there while the plant is dormant. It prefers rich, moist soil but is not particular about soil pH. Bleeding Heart is not a heavy feeder, so when to fertilize depends on your soil quality. If you amend rich, organic soil every year, you won't need to fertilize at all.
You can start them from seed, division, cuttings, or seedlings. Bleeding Heart plants are very easy to divide. However, divide them after flowering so you don't sacrifice blooms. Fringed-leaf varieties divide nicely early in spring, as they emerge. You can also start it from seed or stem cuttings.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Bleeding Heart.
Links
- Back to genus Dicentra
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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