Dicentra spectabilis Alba

The Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' is a charming form with entirely white flowers of the timeless bleeding heart. This perennial has foliage that is almost as decorative as its flowering, developing arched stems adorned in spring with graceful heart-shaped white flowers, which appear to be suspended. Introduced long ago in gardens, Dicentra spectabilis is almost fail-safe in moderately dry temperate climates. Hardy and robust as well as charming, it will thrive for many years in partial shade, in any good garden soil that remains somewhat cool.

The Dicentra spectabilis, now renamed Lamprocapnos spectabilis, belongs to the family Papaveraceae (formerly Fumariaceae). It originates from Korea, northwest China, and Japan, where it grows naturally in leafy forest humus. This species has become naturalized in certain regions of France, where it can be found up to an altitude of 1800 m (5905ft). It is a herbaceous perennial plant with rhizomes, and its above-ground vegetation disappears completely in winter. It has excellent cold resistance, but the young spring shoots may suffer from late frosts.

'Alba' differs from this species only in the white color of its flowering. At maturity, the plant will reach a height of about 60 cm (24in) and a minimum width of 50 cm (20in). In spring, arched stems emerge from the ground, bearing compound and pinnate leaves, finely divided into lobes, with a delicate appearance. Flowering occurs in late spring, starting in May depending on the climate, and may continue until July if the soil remains cool. Otherwise, the bleeding heart enters dormancy in summer. At the tips of the stems, 3 to 15 pendulous flowers appear, measuring 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in height and 2 to 3 cm (1in) in width. Each flower consists of outer petals forming a heart and inner petals in the shape of an arrow. In 'Alba', the flowers are pure white. After pollination by insects, they give way to pods that contain round black seeds surrounded by a white and mucilaginous substance.

The 'Alba' bleeding heart thrives in woodland settings and easily grows under deciduous trees, provided that the soil remains cool in spring. In the background of a white flower bed, accompanied by Heuchera 'Mint Julep', Hesperis matronalis 'Alba', and Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy', the pure white suspended hearts of the Dicentra spectabilis Alba will work wonders. Most bleeding hearts go dormant at the end of spring, but this does not have any detrimental effects on plant growth.