bleeding heart
Dicentra 'Bacchanal'
Overview
The 'Bacchanal' bleeding heart is an amazing plant for its delicate beauty and long season of bloom. The pendant-shaped, rosy-red blooms display a hint of white in the center. The foliage is an attractive ferny texture. Not only is it attractive, but it is also deer-resistant and grows in shady areas. Its drooping, heart-shaped blooms contrast beautifully with the bright green of the foliage. Its bloom time is from late spring to early summer, and the flowers will last until fall. The 'Bacchanal' bleeding heart is a great addition to any garden; its beauty and unique flowering make it a wonderful choice for an ornamental plant.
Care Guide
Watering
Bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Bacchanal') should be watered thoroughly throughout the growing season. In spring and summer, water the plant every week to keep the soil evenly moist. During dry periods, water more frequently, making sure that the soil does not dry out completely. In the cold autumn and winter months, reduce watering to allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Light
Bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Bacchanal') should be planted in a spot that gets partial, dappled to full sun. It tolerates morning sun but does best in a shady location where it is sheltered from strong afternoon sun. It needs at least 4 hours of direct sun daily in order to survive and bloom. During the summer months, you may want to provide some afternoon shade in order to avoid burning the leaves.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 3–9.
Pruning
Generally, Bleeding Heart (Dicentra 'Bacchanal') should be pruned in early spring before new growth appears. This will prevent the flowers from being pruned off and will also tidy up the plant. To prune, simply clip off old stems and foliage with sterilized pruning shears. Stems should be snipped off about 1-third of the way down and foliage should generally be cut back to 2-thirds of its height. Pruning will help the plant to remain compact and also encourage faster and more vigorous re-growth. It is important to take care not to prune too much, as this can damage the plant.
Propagation
Division, Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation
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