Dicentra spectabilis "Gold Heart"

Discussion in 'Botany Photo of the Day Submissions' started by Weekend Gardener, Apr 28, 2008.

  1. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    865
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Coquitlam, BC
    Dicentra spectabilis "Gold Heart" is my favourite perennial at this time of the year.

    28Apr08 109 1000.JPG

    28Apr08 110 1000.JPG
     
  2. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,769
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Brisbane Queensland Australia
    What a lovely plant, WG!!!
    I wonder if I can get them in Aus?
    Do you think they would die down in sub tropical?

    Ed
     
  3. soccerdad

    soccerdad Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    515
    Likes Received:
    20
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC, Dunbar area
    They grow like weeds here but they will look unhappy as the weather gets warmer and drier; the gold one seems to last longer than the standard green one, in my garden, but I have nonetheless started cutting them down before mid-summer. And summer here is not very hot ...
     
  4. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    865
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Coquitlam, BC
    Dicentra spectabilis is a woodland plant, preferring moist soils and dappled shade. This one in our garden gets morning sun, is in moist soil and a cooler corner of the garden. In this position, it looks good into August, before the leaves and stems start to sag and look ragged. I have a pink flowered variety doing well in full shade under a tree. Gold Heart's leaves are not as vibrant gold in full shade. On the other hand, the leaves bleach, fade and even burn exposed when to full midday and afternoon sun.

    I am not sure about a source of the plant in Australia. It's so striking, however, I suspect that it would have been introduced there if it is known to do well in the type of climate you have.
     

Share This Page