New Hybrid Bleeding Hearts

Dicentra 'Luxuriant' 

Bleeding hearts bloom in April into May (in Tennessee - zones 6 and 7). In cooler northerly locales, flowering may continue into summer.  The bright red, pink or white, heart-shaped, pendant flowers are supported on arching stems.

Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp.) are truly one of nature’s glorious delights in the spring - early summer garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Old fashion bleeding hearts (D. spectabilis), indigenous to Asia, grow taller and wider compared to their North American counterparts wild bleeding heart (D. exima) and Dutchman's breeches (D. cucullaria).

A number of new cultivars have been released in recent years that are hybrid crosses between D. peregrine (native to Japan) x D. exima (native to eastern North America) x D. formosa (native to Western U.S.). These bleeding heart grow more compact and robust, are longer flowering, exhibit blue-gray foliage, and offer more floral color choices.

Four notable hybrid cultivars include 'Luxuriant' (D. eximia  x D. formosa  - deeply-cut,  grayish-green foliage and cherry red blooms. ‘King of Hearts’ (D. peregrina x D. formosa subsp. oregana x D. eximia) - very compact grower only 9 inches high and 14 inches wide. 'Fire Island' (D. peregrina x D. exima) - white tipped magenta red flowers from late spring into midsummer and 12 inch x 20 inch mound of frosty blue foliage. ‘Valentine’ - a vigorous hybrid form with showy cherry red/white tipped flowers.

New hybrid forms tend to grow more vigorously and are spaced 24-36 inches apart. Good soil drainage is essential for bleeding hearts. Plant in a humus-rich mildly acidic soil along with more hours of sunlight, preferably in the morning. Lightly mulch around plants in a woodland garden. In late winter feed a slow-release fertilizer at the low package rate.

In southern locales hybrid forms generally die back (go dormant) by mid-summer unless regularly irrigated. Crowded clumps should be divided either in very early spring or after flowering.

Spring flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Aphids, slugs and snails occasionally feed on the leaves. Plants are deer and rabbit resistant.

Bleeding hearts are great companions with other woodland plants such as ferns, lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.), brunneras, coral bells (Heuchera), and foam flowers (Tiarella).

Note: in recent times the genus Dicentra has been changed to Lamprocapnos.

Early Flowering Magnolias

'Leonard Messel' Magnolia

Early flowering magnolias (M. ×loebneri ) are excellent choices for a small flowering yard tree. This deciduous hybrid magnolia (M. kobus x M. stellata) includes some hybrid crosses including 'Leonard Messel', 'Ballerini', and 'Merrill'(zones (4)5-9).

Additional hybrid cultivars are also available in commerce that feature more compact forms and flowers (called "tepals") that are white, blush-pink, lilac pink or pink depending on cultivar.

In general, deciduous magnolias start out as slow growing large shrubs or small trees. At maturity they reach 25 feet and a rounded crown. Despite their early blooming, some flowers often escape freezing temps. In the case of first to bloom star magnolia (M. stellata), flowers may open over a 3 week interval.

  

My favorite cultivar in the group is 'Leonard Messel'. This small tree is often grown multi-trunked rather than a single trunk tree. Flowers measure 4-6 inches across with 10-15 petals. Flowers give way to cone-like fruits that age to a reddish tinge in late summer; fruits split open to distribute individual red coated seeds suspended on slender threads. Fruits are sometimes absent on some hybrid magnolias if inadequately pollinated.

Flowering magnolias are best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Trees are generally intolerant of soil extremes (dry or wet) and intolerant of most urban pollutants. Young trees may take 3-4 years before first blooms appear. Magnolias are best sited in a site sheltered from high winds.

Leonard Messel magnolia has a multi-branched  habit and start producing their lovely flowers at an early age. No serious disease or pest problems trouble this cultivar when properly sited at planting. The 5-inch long, medium green obovate leaves remain blemish-free through the growing season. Its gray bark of deciduous magnolias is an added plus, particularly over the winter months.