Dicentra

The genus Dicentra, Diclitra, or Broken Heart (Dicentra), consists of 20 species of herbaceous perennial resistant stemless plants with tender, sometimes branching rhizomes. They are strongly woody plants with deeply indented foliage and elegant hanging pink or reddish flowers. Dicentra magnificent (Dicentra spectabilis) is a common species in floriculture up to 80 cm high, with erect leafy stems. The basal leaves are petiolate, dioecious or trifoliate; the flowers are heart-shaped with a white bend and small spurs protruding from the calyx, collected in curved racemes of dark pink inflorescences. They bloom in late spring and summer. Dicentra canadensis is a species up to 30 cm tall. It has linear-obovate leaves and light flowers with a lilac hue, collected in brushes up to 35 cm long. Dicentra cucullaria - a species up to 15 cm tall, with light green leaves and heart-shaped white or pinkish flowers with yellow spurs, they bloom during spring until the beginning of summer. Dicentra eximia is a plant up to 60 cm tall with dark green leaves similar to those of a fern. Pink-purple heart-shaped flowers, collected in a brush, appear during the summer. There are garden forms with white flowers. Another common species, like dicentra magnificent, dicentra beautiful, or elegant (D. formosa), is a compact plant up to 30 cm tall, with glossy green leaves and a fleshy rhizome. Pinkish-purple flowers in rare racemes bloom in June.

The genus Dicentra, Diclitra, or Broken Heart (Dicentra), consists of 20 species of herbaceous perennial resistant stemless plants with tender, sometimes branching rhizomes. They are strongly woody plants with deeply indented foliage and elegant hanging pink or reddish flowers.

Dicentra magnificent (Dicentra spectabilis) is a common species in floriculture up to 80 cm high, with erect leafy stems. The basal leaves are petiolate, dioecious or trifoliate; the flowers are heart-shaped with a white bend and small spurs protruding from the calyx, collected in curved racemes of dark pink inflorescences. They bloom in late spring and summer.

Dicentra canadensis is a species up to 30 cm tall. It has linear-obovate leaves and light flowers with a lilac hue, collected in brushes up to 35 cm long.

Dicentra cucullaria - a species up to 15 cm tall, with light green leaves and heart-shaped white or pinkish flowers with yellow spurs, they bloom during spring until the beginning of summer.

Dicentra eximia is a plant up to 60 cm tall with dark green leaves similar to those of a fern. Pink-purple heart-shaped flowers, collected in a brush, appear during the summer. There are garden forms with white flowers.

Another common species, like dicentra magnificent, dicentra beautiful, or elegant (D. formosa), is a compact plant up to 30 cm tall, with glossy green leaves and a fleshy rhizome. Pinkish-purple flowers in rare racemes bloom in June.

Cultivation

Compact species, such as dicentra beautiful, are grown outdoors in rock gardens, curbs. They are also planted in pots on balconies and terraces. Prefers dicentra rich in humus, light, sufficiently moistened soil. When planting in the ground, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers (3-5 kg/m2). Plants are planted at a distance of 10 cm (the lowest and least developed plants) to 40-50 cm (taller and bushy species) from each other. When growing in a pot, use a well-drained soil made up of peat, fertile land and sand. In spring, once every 30-40 days, a full mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In general, dicentra is an unpretentious plant in culture.

Compact species, such as dicentra beautiful, are grown outdoors in rock gardens, curbs. They are also planted in pots on balconies and terraces. Prefers dicentra rich in humus, light, sufficiently moistened soil. When planting in the ground, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers (3-5 kg/m2).

Plants are planted at a distance of 10 cm (the lowest and least developed plants) to 40-50 cm (taller and bushy species) from each other. When growing in a pot, use a well-drained soil made up of peat, fertile land and sand. In spring, once every 30-40 days, a full mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In general, dicentra is an unpretentious plant in culture.

Location

Prefers open and slightly shaded areas. Dicentra canadensis is grown in the shade. In hot areas, the exclusive dicentra is planted in the shade or partial shade.

Temperature

Dicentras are usually resistant to both high and low air temperatures, but at the same time they are very sensitive to late frosts.

Watering

In spring and summer, they need regular watering.

Transplant

Transplanted in the spring once every 2 years, using the same soil that was recommended for cultivation.

Care

Remove faded inflorescences, damaged and yellowed leaves.

Reproduction

In autumn or early spring, divide the bushes, planting the resulting parts in pots or in the open ground. Propagate also by stem and root cuttings. Rooted cuttings can be immediately planted in a permanent place.

Diseases

Dicentra magnifica is susceptible to rotting stems due to Pellicularia rolfsii and wilting plants due to damage by Sclerotinia and Fusarium fungi. These diseases can only be prevented by using sterilized or obviously healthy soil.

Acquisition

Seedlings in multi-seat cassettes and seeds can easily be found in flower companies and gardening centers. Carefully check that there are no pests on the seedlings, and the seeds are fresh.