About Pacific Bleeding Heart Plants

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The Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) is an herbaceous perennial plant that produces a plethora of showy pink flowers. This plant is commonly used in both residential and commercial landscapes as an ornamental plant.

Growth

  • This plant matures to 1 to 2 feet in height and width. The feather-shaped foliage is much like that of a fern. This plant yields clusters of pink or purple heart-shaped flowers that bloom from March through July. Each flower features a long stem and contains nectar.

Climate

  • The Pacific bleeding heart thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8 and prefers being planted in the sun in areas with cold summers and in the shade in places with warm weather. Within the United States, these plants are most commonly found in California, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington. When found in their native environment, the Pacific bleeding heart lives in cool, damp woodlands.

Soil

  • The Pacific bleeding heart grows well when planted in moist, well drained soils. For the best results, the plant should be grown in humus-rich soils. Once planted, this plant requires little water but should be mulched regularly with decaying humus to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Propagation

  • Pacific bleeding heart plants feature rhizomes that divide and aid in the propagation of the bleeding heart. Naturally, these rhizomes can fall to the ground and result in the spread of the plant. Ants frequently are credited for spreading the seeds for this plant. When planted by hand, these rhizomes should be planted in wet pea pots with the eye of the rhizome at soil level. It will take one year for the plant to bear flowers but many years before seedlings grow from the mother plant. The seeds for the Pacific bleeding heart plant are readily available commercially.

Wildlife Value

  • The nectar produced by the flowers of the Pacific bleeding heart plant attracts both hummingbirds and bumblebees. While these flowers can be widely beneficial to local wildlife, they are also toxic to humans. In some cases, contact with this plant can cause minor skin irritation for a few minutes after contact with the sap of the plant. If consumed, this plant can cause trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and labored breathing.


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