Dicentra spectabilis Valentine

The Dicentra 'Valentine' possesses the same qualities of hardiness and robustness as its parent, the Dicentra spectabilis, but it does not exceed 35 cm (14in) in height and develops a vibrant vegetation: its pretty heart-shaped flowers, blood-red punctuated with white, are carried on elegant plum-colored flower stalks, gracefully leaning over a young foliage that is also very colorful. This recent variety, which revisits the Bleeding Heart so dear to our grandmothers, is unmatched for bringing life to shaded areas of the garden. For example, associate it with 'White Gold' Bleeding Heart, with golden foliage and small white hearts! 

The Dicentra 'Valentine' is derived from the Dicentra spectabilis, a botanical species native to the forests of eastern Asia, southern Siberia, and Japan. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family, or the Fumariaceae family according to classifications. It is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, which disappears in winter and reappears in spring. With rapid growth, it forms a bushy clump in a few years, which will not exceed 35 cm (14in) in height and 30 cm (12in) in width for 'Valentine'. This Bleeding Heart spreads laterally through trailing rhizomes, allowing it to spread if conditions are favorable, and gives the plant a lush appearance as long as the soil does not dry out. 

Its stems, colored purple, emerge from the ground in spring. They bear divided, pinnate leaves with a delicate appearance. Their color, ranging from purple to bronze-copper at bud break, evolves to a slightly powdery greenish-gray in mature leaves. Flowering occurs in late spring, starting in May depending on the climate, and can continue until July if the soil remains moist. 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 is composed of outer petals forming a heart and inner arrow-shaped petals. In 'Valentine', the flowers are intensely red but white at the 'point' of the heart. After pollination by insects, they give way to pods that contain round black seeds enclosed in a white and mucilaginous substance. 

The Bleeding Heart Valentine is a very easy to grow plant in most regions, but it does not tolerate very hot and dry climates in summer. It thrives in cottage gardens or naturalistic-inspired gardens, but always in cool and shaded locations. It can be associated with other perennials that do not mind the competition from tree or shrub roots. Accompany it with Solomon's Seal, Hardy Fuchsias, Corydalis, Creeping Bugleweed, Japanese Anemones, or a carpet of Periwinkles, for example. In the foreground of a purple border, associate it with Heuchera 'Black Out', Astrantia 'Moulin Rouge', or Carex comans 'Milk Chocolate'.

Most Bleeding Hearts go dormant in summer, but this does not have any detrimental effects on plant recovery.