Dicentra 'Gold Hearts'

Dicentra 'Gold Hearts': A Golden Glow Beneath Blushing Blooms

A radiant twist on a garden classic, Dicentra 'Gold Hearts' captivates with its iconic pink, heart-shaped flowers and luminous golden-yellow foliage. From arching, ruby-red stems, rows of pendulous blooms dangle like charms, glowing above a mound of finely cut, chartreuse leaves. Blooming in mid to late spring, this unique cultivar lights up shady borders with warmth and elegance. Whether in dappled woodland settings or tucked beneath deciduous trees, it brings both drama and delicacy to the early-season garden.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–75 cm
• Spread: 60–75 cm, forming a graceful, upright clump
• Flower Colour: Deep pink hearts with white tips
• Foliage: Bright golden-yellow, fern-like and finely textured
• Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade to full shade (best colour in part shade)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; dislikes prolonged dryness or compacted conditions

Uses and Benefits: Dicentra 'Gold Hearts' is perfect for brightening shaded garden beds, woodland borders, and understory plantings. Its glowing foliage provides a striking contrast to typical green-leafed companions and remains ornamental even after the blooms fade. Though the foliage may go dormant in summer, its springtime presence is unforgettable. Deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly, it offers timeless beauty with a fresh, golden twist.

Companion Plants: Pair Dicentra 'Gold Hearts' with Brunnera 'Sea Heart', whose heart-shaped, silver-veined foliage and blue spring flowers complement the bleeding heart’s texture while filling space as it retreats. Add Hosta 'Autumn Frost', whose frosty blue leaves with golden margins echo and enhance the dicentra’s foliage colour. Complete the scene with Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', offering silver-dusted leaves and pale flowers that glimmer beneath the golden canopy.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial to full shade with rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil. Protect from hot afternoon sun to maintain vibrant foliage colour. Water regularly during dry periods, especially in spring. After flowering, allow the foliage to go dormant naturally. Interplant with summer fillers to mask empty spaces once the plant dies back. Avoid disturbing established clumps.

History: Dicentra 'Gold Hearts' is a standout cultivar of Dicentra spectabilis, selected for its unusually golden foliage and vibrant pink blooms. First introduced by plantsman Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery, it quickly became prized for its luminous presence in shade gardens. Though now sometimes classified as Lamprocapnos spectabilis, it remains a cherished bleeding heart with a unique flair that bridges classic beauty and bold foliage interest.

Final Thoughts: Glowing and graceful, Dicentra 'Gold Hearts' adds a radiant touch to spring’s shaded corners. When planted alongside the shimmering tones of Brunnera 'Sea Heart', the cool brilliance of Hosta 'Autumn Frost', and the moonlit texture of Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', it creates a layered, shade-loving composition rich in contrast, light, and early-season magic. A golden-hearted classic for gardeners who treasure both foliage and bloom.