Dicentra 'White Diamonds'

Dicentra 'White Diamonds': A Woodland Jewel in Moonlit Bloom

Elegant and luminous, Dicentra 'White Diamonds' casts a pearly glow in the shade garden with its crisp, pure-white, heart-shaped blooms that dangle delicately from fine, arching stems. Held above a tidy mound of soft, fern-like blue-green foliage, the flowers appear in early summer and continue well into autumn—offering a long-lasting, non-dormant display that brightens shady borders. Compact, refined, and quietly radiant, this cultivar lives up to its name as a true woodland gem.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–35 cm
• Spread: 35–45 cm, forming a rounded, mounded habit
• Flower Colour: Pure white; heart-shaped blooms in loose sprays
• Flowering Period: Early summer through early autumn
• Foliage: Finely divided, blue-green, non-dormant leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade to full shade (tolerates morning sun)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; dislikes drought or heavy, compacted soil

Uses and Benefits: Dicentra 'White Diamonds' is ideal for shaded borders, woodland edges, and containers. Unlike traditional bleeding hearts that retreat in summer, this cultivar continues blooming and holding its foliage through the season, offering reliable structure and bloom in low-light areas. Pollinator-friendly, deer-resistant, and compact, it’s especially useful in small gardens or where long-lasting beauty is essential.

Companion Plants: Pair Dicentra 'White Diamonds' with Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', whose silver-dusted foliage and soft-toned blooms echo the white flowers while adding a shimmering ground-level layer. Add Heucherella 'Hopscotch', whose bronze-toned leaves and frothy white blooms enhance the composition with warm contrast and texture. Finish with Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket', offering airy pink flower spikes and patterned foliage that lend lightness and woodland charm.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial to full shade with rich, consistently moist soil. Water regularly during dry spells to support the extended bloom season. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong flowering and maintain a tidy appearance. This cultivar remains in growth throughout the summer, so avoid planting alongside aggressive growers. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring or fall if clumps become crowded.

History: Dicentra 'White Diamonds' is a compact hybrid derived from long-blooming North American species such as Dicentra eximia and Dicentra formosa. Bred for its pure white flowers, extended bloom time, and tidy growth habit, it represents a refined evolution of the woodland bleeding heart—retaining all the romance with none of the fleetingness.

Final Thoughts: Clean, compact, and quietly dazzling, Dicentra 'White Diamonds' brings long-season bloom and subtle elegance to the shaded garden. When paired with the silvery textures of Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', the warmth of Heucherella 'Hopscotch', and the soft sparkle of Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket', it creates a layered, pollinator-friendly vignette that glows from spring to fall. A perfect jewel for gardeners who seek beauty that endures.