Bleeding heart 'Valentine'

A dramatic and romantic update to the traditional 'Bleeding Heart', 'Valentine' features stunning, cherry-red heart-shaped flowers with white tips that dangle from elegant, arching, dark-coloured stems. The foliage is a handsome grey-green with a hint of plum, emerging early in spring to form a soft, ferny mound. This herbaceous perennial is a highlight of the spring woodland garden, bringing a vivid pop of colour to shaded spots. It is fully hardy and thrives in moist, fertile soil enriched with plenty of leaf mould or compost. Like most Dicentras, it tends to go dormant and die back after flowering, especially in drier summers, so it is best planted amongst later-growing plants like Hostas or hardy geraniums that can fill the gap. It is a reliable performer in the UK, providing an exquisite display of pendant blooms that are unlike any other. It should be protected from harsh, cold winds which can damage the delicate emerging foliage.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Apr, May.