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Native Plant Database

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Dicentra formosa (Pacific bleeding heart)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Dicentra formosa (Haw.) Walp.

Pacific bleeding heart, Pacific bleedinghearts, Western bleedingheart

Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family)

USDA Symbol: DIFO

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Drooping clusters of pink, heart-shaped flowers, flushed with lavender, are attached to the leafless stems of this perennial. Pink, heart-shaped flowers hang in small, branched clusters above soft, fern-like, bluish-green leaves at base. The airy, fern-like foliage occurs on separate stalks. Pacific bleedinghearts grows from 6-18 in. in height.

One of the nursery-trade species. Bleeding Heart (D. spectabilis), from Japan, has larger, rosy-red or white flowers, about 1 (2.5 cm) long.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , MA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: C. CA to w. B.C.
Native Habitat: Cool, damp woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Conditions Comments: Western bleeding heart must be kept mulched with decaying humus, especially in cold winters. Extensive rhizome systems spread to establish colonies.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Toxic only in large quantities. Causes minor skin irritation when touched, lasting only for a few minutes. Symptoms includes trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, labored breathing. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap. Toxic Principle: Several isoquinolone alkaloids. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.);
Seeds are spread by ants.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds

Propagation

Description: Divisions from rhizomes should be planted vertically in wet peat pots with the eye at soil level. Small, blooming plants will be ready the following year. This plant can also be propagated by seed, however it takes several years for seedlings to grow to
Seed Collection: Collect seeds in the summer.
Seed Treatment: Seeds need moist, cold stratification if they have not been given a natural overwinter treatment outdoors.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dicentra formosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dicentra formosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dicentra formosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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