The Award-Winning Perennial Bleeding Heart Variety That Thrives In The Shade

One of the most bewitching ways to light up a night garden or shady corner, 'Alba' (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a white-flowering cultivar of the classic bleeding heart flower. It's no wonder this creamy bleeding heart won an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. The spring-flowering perennial has a magic all its own.

Bleeding heart 'Alba' produces dozens of heart-shaped, crisp-white flowers, with several of the tiny hearts dangling from each of the plant's gracefully arching stems. Just like the classic deep-pink bleeding heart that originated in Asia, 'Alba' bears flowers named for their shape, which resembles an upright heart with a drop of "blood" emerging from the bottom. This bleeding heart cultivar grows up to three feet tall, and can spread up to two feet wide.

'Alba' is hardy in zones 3 to 9, and it's an obvious choice to include in a "moon garden" featuring white and silver plants that seem to glow at night. The best way to design a moon garden involves layering plants with different flowering times in the same area. Because this bleeding heart cultivar blooms in late spring, consider planting it near similar perennials which have earlier and later blooming times. First, look to other perennials which grow gorgeous white flowers. The near-lookalike Dutchmen's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is another woodland plant, but it blossoms in March (and is hardy in zones 3 to 7). For summer and early fall gardens, consider plants with similar delicate, white blooms such as 'White Feather' (Hosta) and bugbane (Actaea simplex), both hardy in zones 3 to 8.

Include bleeding heart 'Alba' in your gorgeous, healthy shade garden layout. The perennial prefers full shade or partial shade conditions. Try to find a spot for it that doesn't get standing water in the cooler months, or that will dry out in the summer. The deep, humus-y soil you may find at the border between woods and backyards is often perfect. If the soil where you'll be establishing 'Alba' is hard-packed, work in some compost to create better drainage.

Different types of bleeding heart don't require vastly different sun and soil conditions, so you won't need to fuss much to keep 'Alba' happy. The perennial is resistant to deer and rabbit plunders. It's also not overly beset by plant diseases or many insects. If you spot aphids, knock them off with a strong jet of water from a hose. Alternatively, spray it with soapy water.

After the 'Alba' flowers have peaked, the leaves also go dormant. That disappearing act allows elbow room for summer flowers and for foliage plants like ferns and hostas. The dormancy also gives you less pruning or tying-back to do. Some people may have skin sensitivity to the plant, so weeding or pruning in their vicinity should be done with gloves. The plant is also harmful if ingested, so be cautious about letting pets and small children near it.