If you’re captivated by the beauty and delicate form of classic bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), then you’ll love Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’. This perennial, a 2009 addition to the Hearts series from Skagit Gardens, is sure to stun. Its ruby red, pendant-shaped flowers have white, scalloped edges. The flowers drip from the stems like scarlet teardrops onto blue-gray fernleaf foliage. But the plant has a lot more to offer than striking looks. ‘Burning Hearts’ blooms March through September and tolerates heat and drought far better than other bleeding hearts. And, if kept moist, it’ll delay dormancy longer and stand up all summer.

Common name: ‘Burning Hearts’ bleeding heart 
Botanical name:  Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’
Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3 to 9
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Family: Papaveraceae

Growing conditions 
• Sun: Full to part shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich
• Moisture: Average to medium

Care
• Mulch: Mulch to preserve moisture in the soil.
• Pruning: None needed.
• Fertilizer: None needed.

Propagation
• By division.

Pests and diseases
• No major insect or disease problems.
• Aphid infestations may occur.
• Powdery mildew, downy mildew, verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and rust may occur.

Garden notes
• Plant in fall or late winter to ensure plants root well before blooming.
• ‘Burning Hearts’ are great for a moist rockery or the front of a shady border. They are also outstanding in containers.
• Hostas and heucheras pair elegantly with the foliage; ‘Burning Hearts’ is especially striking planted next to heucheras with dark foliage.
• If ‘Burning Hearts’ becomes too dry, the plant may go dormant.
• To encourage continuous blooming, cut back spent flowers.

All in the family 
• Other plants in the 2009 Hearts series from Skagit Gardens include ‘Ivory Hearts’ (white blossoms) and ‘Candy Hearts’ (pink blossoms).
• There are about 20 species in the Dicentra genus, including annuals and perennials from Asia and North America.
• Papaveraceae is also known as the poppy family.

Where to buy
• Garden Crossings LLC, Zeeland, MI, 616-875-6355, www.gardencrossings.com
• Lazy S’S Farm & Nursery, Barboursville, VA, 540-832-2334, www.lazyssfarm.com
• Romence Gardens & Greenhouses, Grand Rapids, MI, 888-907-5268, www.romencegardens.com

(Photo courtesy of Skagit Gardens)