Back

Dicentra 'Zestful'

Add To Wishlist
   
Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
 Common Name: Bleeding Heart-Fern-leaved
Common Name (Alternative): Western Bleeding Heart

Deep rose-pink, heart-shaped blooms dance charmingly above the ferny, blue-green foliage of D. 'Zestful'. This selection is everblooming, flowering most freely in spring and continuing throughout the summer and into fall. It also seems to tolerate more sun and summer heat than most other varieties. Unlike the Common Bleeding Heart, D. 'Zestful' will not go dormant in midsummer as long as the soil is kept moist. Rather, it will enchant passersby all season long.

Origin: Native Cultivar

Characteristics:



Height:
  12-18 Inches
Spread:
  12 Inches
Flower Color:
  Pink shades
  Purple-red shades
Foliage Color:
  Green shades
Hardiness Zone:
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Find Your Zone
Sun or Shade?:
  Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
  Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
  Full shade (< 4 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
  Average water needs
  Consistent water needs
Want to see wings?:
  Attracts hummingbirds
Need critter resistant plants?:
  Deer resistant
How fast should it grow?:
  Medium
When should it bloom?:
  Late spring
  Early summer
  Midsummer
  Late summer
  Early fall
How's your soil?:
  Average Soil
  Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
  Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
  Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
  Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
  Container/Patio
  Woodland/Shade
  Eclectic

Attributes:

Border plants
Container
Cut flower or foliage
Edging
Mass Planting
Easy to grow

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Though this variety is more sun tolerant, 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, and should be done every few years to maintain vigor.


Companions:

Common/Botanical Name
Zones  
Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver'
Common Name: Lamium
3,4,5,6,7,8
Add To Wishlist
Astilbe 'Bridal Veil' ('Brautschleier')
Common Name: Astilbe-Hybrid
4,5,6,7,8,9
Add To Wishlist
Hosta 'Robert Frost'
Common Name: Hosta
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Add To Wishlist
Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' PP12138
Common Name: Lungwort
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Add To Wishlist
Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'
Common Name: Solomon's Seal-Variegated
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Add To Wishlist
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Common Name: Fern-Japanese Painted
3,4,5,6,7,8
Add To Wishlist
Myosotis sylvatica 'Royal Blue Compact'
Common Name: Forget-Me-Not
3,4,5,6,7,8
Add To Wishlist
Heuchera 'Melting Fire'
Common Name: Coral Bells
4,5,6,7,8,9
Add To Wishlist

While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.