Dicentra

A fascinating genus of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) with an amazing array of sizes and forms, from dwarf alpines such as the legendary Dicentra peregrina, to semi-tropical climbing species.

We offer only a few species, but these are all attractive plants, flowering in early spring with full sized flowers on dwarf plants.

Dicentra peregrina is a choice and slightly tricky Japanese alpine, whilst Dicentra cucullaria is an American woodlander which revels in light, humid shade and woodsey soils. This is harvested from woods in the USA and those wild plants rarely do well due to inherent mite infections. Cultivated plants (ours are cultivated, horticultural propagations) do not suffer from these and although more expensive are well worth the extra, as they grow!

The summer-dormant American Dicentra (canadense and cucullaria) are available for ordering from our Autumn list. The Japanense D. peregrina is winter-dormant and becomes available in November. Availability lasts until March.