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Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) – ‘King of Hearts’

Dicentra ‘King of Hearts’ sports perfect, Rubenesque hearts of rich, rosy pink carried in showy clusters 8 to 12 inches above tight rosettes of tidy, parsley-like blue-green foliage. It is perhaps the most outstanding of all recent Dicentra introductions. It has inherited the following traits: astonishing vigor; sun and heat tolerance; flowers that appear from late spring into fall; and lacy, soft blue-green foliage. Unlike the Common Bleeding Heart, Dicentra ‘King of Hearts’ will not go dormant in midsummer as long as the soil is kept moist. Flowering may continue throughout the summer in cool northern climates. Given adequate moisture, the foliage remains attractive in summer, and may produce an attractive ground cover effect. It will enchant passersby all season long except in very hot climates where the plants enter semi-dormancy, but then resume flowering when the temperatures cool in late summer through autumn. It is easy to grow and it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border.

Dicentra should be planted in locations that are protected from high winds and early frosts, such as the edges of woodlands or on the north or east sides of buildings. It may be propagated by division in either spring or fall, and should be done every few years to maintain vigor.

Availability

# Description Units Available Price/Unit
Bulk
BH205 Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) - 'King of Hearts' out of stock $0.00
BH205-1
BH205-2BH205-3

Plant Details +

Size 2-3 eye
Height 9-18"
Spacing 14-20"
Hardiness Zones 4-9
Exposure Partial shade to partial sun
Foliage Blue-green, Fern-Like
Flower Carmine-rose
Bloomtime May - June

General Information +

Botanical: Dicentra 'King of Hearts'

Common: Bleeding Heart

Family: Papaveraceae

General Characteristics: King of Hearts' is a compact bleeding heart hybrid cultivar resulting from a cross of the Japanese species D. peregrina with two American species D. formosa subsp. oregana and D. eximia. It typically produces a foliage mound to 6-8" tall and 14" wide of deeply-cut, fern-like, bluish-green leaves that persists throughout the growing season. Nodding, heart-shaped, rich carmine-rose flowers are carried above the foliage to 10-15" tall on long, leafless, erect to slightly leaning stems. In hot climates, primary bloom is in May and June, with flowering slowing down considerably or stopping in the heat of the summer, but with a possible rebloom occurring when the weather cools in late summer to early fall. Flowering may continue throughout the summer in cool northern climates. Given adequate moisture, the foliage remains attractive in summer, and may produce an attractive ground cover effect. Flowers in the genus Dicentra are commonly called bleeding heart because protruding inner petals, more obvious in some species than others, purportedly appear to form a drop of blood at the bottom of each heart-shaped flower.

Planting/Care Instructions +

Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to aphid infestations. Good soil drainage is essential for plant survival.

Planting Instructions: May be planted in any well-drained soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Partial shade with rich, organic, moist soil. Will tolerate full sun if given enough moisture. Does not like wet soil in the winter or dry soil in the summer. Mulch plants for the first winter so they will become established.