Height:

12.0-15.0 Inches

Spread:

18.0-24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Red shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades Blue shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Late Spring Early Summer Midsummer Long Blooming

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Hummingbirds Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Growth Rate:

Slow Medium

Garden Style:

Asian Patio Container Cottage Eclectic Rock Garden

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Flower Cut Foliage Small

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Dicentra 'Fire Island' is different from the other bleeding hearts you may be familiar with in that it is not a woodland plant. It is from high elevations in cool climates and it can grow in full sun there, much like an alpine.  It will not grow well in heavy clay soils and does not need deep, moist soils like most Dicentras.  Give this one more sun than you would typically give a Dicentra and you will be rewarded with stronger growth and more flowers.

Growing Temperature:

50-55° F

Holding Temperature:

40-50° F

Soil PH:

5.8-6.4

EC (What is EC?):

1.5-2.5 pour through method

Fertility:

Feed 100 - 150 ppm N at each watering.

For Controlled Release or Slow Release Fertilizer, see your preferred supplier for recommended rates for incorporation or top dressing, as it varies by fertilizer.

Vernalization:

Provide 8-10 weeks of cold temperatures below 40° F.

Pests & Diseases:

Downy mildew, Fusarium, powdery mildew, rust, Sclerotium and Verticillium wilt may occasionally be observed.
Aphids, caterpillars, fungus gnat larva, slugs, spider mites, thrips and whiteflies commonly feed on dicentra.

Potting & Timing:

Plant bare root plants in late winter to spring. Small plugs are best planted in late summer and bulked before vernalization.

Moisture:

Most dicentra prefer moderate moisture.

'Pink Diamonds' performs best in well-drained media and will suffer if kept too wet.

Planting Level:

Eyes slightly below the soil line.

PGRs/Pinching:

If height control is required, daminozide (B-Nine or Dazide) is effective at reducing elongation. One to two applications of 2,500 ppm should provide adequate height control.

Lighting:

Many Dicentra prefer moderate shade in production.
Dicentra 'Pink Diamonds' performs best in full sun.

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