Dicentra 'Alba'
"Lady in the bath"
Orders placed before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
Glamorise the shadier parts of your garden with pearly-white pendant blooms of Dicentra 'Alba', commonly known as lady in the bath or white bleeding hearts. Unlike the classic pink-flowered variety, this one flaunts pure, simple and chic white blooms, though still romantically heart shaped and pendulous on casually arching stems. Fresh and luscious looks make this perfect for a dull or shady spot which could do with a highlight.
Although Dicentra is best known as bleeding heart, the white variety has also been known unofficially as lady in the bath—interestingly, if you turn the heart-shaped flowers upside down they look a little like a lady sitting in a bathtub washing her hair! With such intriguing details which never fail to make you stop and take a closer look, the lovely Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' makes for a sweet little addition to any cool and shaded part of the garden.
Gracy knows:
"Dicentra spectabilis has recently changed its official botanical name to Lamprocapnos spectabilis."
Dicentra spectabilis was first introduced to England in 1816 and, unfortunately, was lost, but was reintroduced in 1846 by the Scottish botanist Robert Fortune.
Key features
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Comes back every year
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Loved by pollinators
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Great for shade
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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RHS Award (AGM)
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Fully hardy
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Rodent resistant
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Alba'
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Flower colour
White
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Rhizome size
2/3
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Established height
70cm-1m
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Established spread
50-70cm
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Plant spacing
9 rhizomes per m2
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Leaf colour
Green
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Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
1-2 years
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Sunlight
Full shade
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Large containers
Borders
Woodland gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Damp
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Soil type
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost -
RHS Award (AGM)
Yes
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Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
No
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Mouse resistant
Yes
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak your Dicentra 'Alba' roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting.
Plant your "Lady in the bath" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors.
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed.
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in Feb/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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