other maintenance Prefers a
well-draining soil, but much more
tolerant of heavy soil as well as of heat
and humidity than other pinks and is
much longer lived. Doesn’t require the
frequent division to keep plants
vigorous.
related plantS Dianthus gratiano-
politanus ‘Bath’s Pink’ is probably the
best low-maintenance pink; a good
beginner plant. ‘Feuerhexe’ Firewitch
has brilliant magenta blooms. ‘Shoot-
ing Star’, part of the Star Series, is a
more compact, tidy plant (6–8 in.) and
not as vigorous. ‘Tiny Rubies’, a sweet
low-growing pink with tiny flowers, is
one of my husband’s favorite perenni-
als—goes to show that real men like
pinks. To deadhead these numerous
tiny stems of flowers I grab a handful at
a time and cut. The foliage usually is so
low and ground hugging that it is not
cut during this procedure, just the old
flower stems. Again, flowering may be
prolonged with jumping on deadhead-
ing before seed has a chance to set.
Dianthus carthusianorum, cluster-head
dianthus, is 2 ft. tall with deep pink
flowers. Allow to seed, but not to
nuisance level, to ensure longevity in
garden. Cut back, after some seeding is
allowed, to grassy basal growth. May
need some cleanup in the spring.Dicentra formosa
‘Luxuriant’
fringed bleeding heart
p apaveraceaeHeart-shaped, cherry-red flowers;
gray-green feathery leaves
15–18 in. high; 18 in. wide
Part shade–full shade
Blooms April–September
Zones 3–9
pruning After all flowers fade on
flower scape, deadhead down to basal
foliage—this can prolong bloom into
the autumn. Deadleaf any browning or
fading foliage to make room for new
growth from the crown of the plant.
Does not die back in the summer like
Lamprocapnos spectabilis. Plants often
flower late into the autumn; wait forseveral killing frosts before cutting
down for the winter.
other maintenance Mixed
performance of this plant puts it into
the high-maintenance class as far as
I’m concerned. Can be short-lived, at
times never even establishing in the
first year. At other times it does
beautifully, with no apparent reason
for the difference, although it is
probably related to soil drainage. Not
predictable. Requires rich,
high-organic but well-draining soil,
particularly over the winter. Will take
some sun if provided sufficient
moisture. Constant summer moisture
will ensure a long bloom period. The
overwintering buds of Dicentra are
high on the crown, and if planted too
deeply they can rot, further contribut-
ing to losses. Divide brittle roots
carefully, only if needed, in the spring.
related plantS Cultivars may be
of Dicentra eximia or D. formosa, or
hybrids of the two. Pruning require-
ments are the same for both species
and for cultivars of either.
Dicentra formosa ‘Alba’, a whiteDicentra formosa ‘Luxuriant’