Perennial of the Month-- February 2004 
Perennial of the Month-- February 2004
(dy-sen' tra) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)
Common name: Adrian Bloom fringed bleeding heart
Family: Fumariaceae, Fumitory
Height x width: 10-12" x 12-24"
Growth rate; habit: moderate, low open mound slightly spreading
Foliage: gray-green fern-like foliage arising directly from rootstock as do flowers, long branched flower stalks
Flowers: dark rose-pink or crimson-rose, like upside-down pants, early through mid-summer in the north, spring to early summer in south
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 3-8, AHS heat zones 10-1
Soil: moist, well drained, will tolerate some drought
Light: part shade
Pests and problems: none serious, stem rots if too wet soil
Landscape habit, uses: front of borders or island beds, part shade rock gardens, woodland gardens along path edges or on woodland edge, containers; groups or massed; good with astilbe, hosta, ferns, arums, purple-leaved coralbells, foamflower
Other interest: similar in many respects to other eximia types, only longer bloom period, more flowers, and more sun tolerant; often listed as formosa, but actually a hybrid; resulted as a seedling of 'Bountiful'
Other culture: easy, divide new offshoots off crown every 3 years or so only if needed
Propagation: division
Sources: a release of Blooms North America, and available from their propagators commercially; available at many complete perennial nurseries