Product Description
Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart' (20)ct Flat
Common Name: Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart
A bright twist on a classic perennial! Radiant yellow foliage absolutely glows in spring, creating a brilliant focal point in the shade garden.
Arching sprays of everyone’s favorite classic bleeding heart flower, pink and white heart-shaped blooms, dangle from the stems in late spring. The foliage typically mellows a bit in color as the season progresses.
This cultivar grows a bit smaller than the typical D. spectabilis, reaching heights of up to 2' at maturity.
After putting on this fantastic display, Old-Fashioned Bleeding Hearts usually go dormant until the following spring. However, if plants are kept well-watered during the spring, dormancy may be delayed until late summer or early fall. Other bushy perennials, such as Hosta, Geranium, or Sedge, should be planted nearby to fill in the resulting gaps.
Dicentra is most at home in woodland settings. It likes rich, loose soil that is evenly moist but also well-drained. At planting time, add lots of compost, humus, or peat moss to the soil to enhance its water retention capabilities. Plants will not grow well in heavy clay soils.
Dicentra should be planted in locations that are protected from high winds and early frosts, such as the edges of woodlands or on the north or east sides of buildings. It may be propagated by division in either spring or fall, taking great care to keep the fleshy roots intact when transplanting. If spent flowers are not removed, small pods develop and drop their seeds when mature and dry. If these seeds are left undisturbed, they will germinate the following spring. The resulting plantlets are easy to transplant while they are still small, but they may not resemble the parent plant exactly.
Zones 3 to 9;
Part shade to full shade.
Mature size 18-to-24-inch height, spreads 24 to 36 inches.
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Spring
Attracts Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium - Rapid
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Specimen, Focal Point
A Golden Opportunity for the Shade Garden
Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart', commonly known as Bleeding Heart 'Gold Heart', is a cultivar of the popular Bleeding Heart plant. Unlike its green-leaved relatives, 'Gold Heart' offers gardeners a unique opportunity to brighten shady gardens with its vibrant golden foliage. This shade-loving perennial, with its delicate pink and white, heart-shaped flowers, adds a touch of elegance and charm to any garden.
Distinctive Features 'Gold Heart' boasts stunning chartreuse-gold leaves that illuminate shady areas. This vibrant foliage provides a striking contrast to the gracefully arching stems that bear the iconic heart-shaped flowers. These blooms, a delicate blend of rose-pink and white, dangle like pendants, creating a captivating display in late spring. Mature plants reach a height of 18-24 inches and a width of 24-36 inches.
- Care and Cultivation Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart' thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. While it prefers moist conditions, it can tolerate drier soils once established. This makes it a versatile plant for a variety of shade garden settings. 'Gold Heart' is also deer and rabbit resistant, adding to its appeal for gardeners facing these common garden pests.
- Planting When planting 'Gold Heart', ensure the top of the plant is just below the soil level. Space plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for adequate growth.
- Watering This cultivar has average water requirements. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
- Fertilizing Fertilize once a year to provide essential nutrients.
- Pruning 'Gold Heart' typically does not require pruning. However, you can remove any dead or damaged foliage as needed.
Winter Care In colder climates, it is advisable to mulch the plant during its first winter to protect it from freezing temperatures. Remember to remove the mulch in spring before new growth begins.
One interesting characteristic of 'Gold Heart' is its tendency to go dormant in the summer heat. This dormancy is a natural response to the warmer temperatures and allows the plant to conserve energy. While it may seem like the plant is fading, it will return with renewed vigor in the cooler temperatures of spring.
Companion Plants To maintain a lush and full appearance in your garden even when 'Gold Heart' goes dormant in the summer, consider planting companion plants that will fill in the spaces and provide ongoing visual interest.
| Plant Name | Description | Benefits |
| Hostas | Shade-loving perennials with a wide variety of colors and textures | Complement the golden foliage of 'Gold Heart' and provide ground cover |
| Ferns | Delicate fronds offer a variety of textures and shades of green | Provide a beautiful contrast to the bold leaves of 'Gold Heart' and add a sense of woodland charm |
| Astilbes | Perennials with feathery plumes of flowers in various colors | Add a touch of whimsy and color to the garden, especially when 'Gold Heart' is dormant |
| Brunnera | Varieties like 'Jack Frost' have heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue flowers | Create a harmonious pairing with 'Gold Heart' with their similar foliage shape and contrasting flower color |
| Pulmonaria | Commonly known as Lungwort, offers attractive foliage and early spring blooms | Provides interest before the 'Gold Heart' reaches its peak and maintains ground cover |
| Sedges | Grass-like plants with a variety of textures and colors | Add texture and structure to the garden, complementing the mounding habit of 'Gold Heart' |
| Heuchera | Versatile perennials with a wide array of foliage colors | Warm tones like 'Cajun Fire' beautifully accentuate the golden foliage of 'Gold Heart' |
When selecting companion plants, consider those with similar growing requirements and those that will provide visual interest throughout the season.
Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart' is a captivating perennial that brings a touch of gold to the shade garden. Its unique golden foliage, combined with the classic Bleeding Heart flowers, creates a stunning display in late spring. This low-maintenance plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
To fully enjoy the beauty of 'Gold Heart', consider incorporating it into your garden design in several ways:
- Woodland gardens: The golden foliage of 'Gold Heart' will add a luminous touch to woodland settings, complementing ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving plants.
- Shade borders: Create a dynamic border by combining 'Gold Heart' with a variety of companion plants, such as astilbes, brunnera, and heuchera, to ensure continuous color and interest throughout the growing season.
- Containers: 'Gold Heart' can also be grown in containers, allowing you to bring its beauty to patios, balconies, or any shady spot.
By providing the proper growing conditions and selecting suitable companion plants, you can enjoy the unique beauty of 'Gold Heart' throughout the growing season and create a truly captivating shade garden.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
