Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
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."
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Alba'
- Flower colour
- White
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 50-70cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant spacing
- 9 rhizomes per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Rhizome size
- 2/3
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Damp
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Woodland gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full shade
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
-
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Pollinator-friendly
Great for shade
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
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Dicentra 'Alba' reviews
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