Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

Pacific bleeding heart is a charming herbaceous perennial for moist, shady areas. It emerges in early spring, carpeting the forest floor with delicate, blue-ish green, fern-like foliage, followed by pink heart-shaped flowers that dangle above the leaves on tall stems. Pacific bleeding heart spreads through rhizomes to create a lush, seasonal groundcover; the plant typically dies back when the summer heats up, to return again the next spring. Try growing it under trees, or interplanted with other shade-loving perennials like western lily of the valley, hooker's fairybells, or stream violet.

Sun Exposure: Part shade to shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist, humus-rich soil. Tolerates seasonally dry conditions.
Mature Size: 6"-18" tall, spreads through rhizomes
Bloom Time: Spring
Edible: No
Wildlife Value: Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Seeds have an elaiosome, which is eaten by ants. Butterfly host plant.
Native Range & Habitat: Moist forests and streambanks at low to middle elevations. Southern British Columbia to California
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