This attractive plant was introduced into Britain in 1816 from Siberia and Japan. It is a graceful hardy perennial with arching sprays of heart shaped flowers and pretty fern-like foliage. It grows to about 30 inches in height, the rose red flowers with protruding white inner petals being borne between April and June. This is a beautiful plant for a shady border or a woodland garden. It prefers a moist, fertile, humus rich soil in partial shade but will tolerate full sun. There is a white flowered version called 'Alba' which flowers at the same time and requires the same planting conditions.
Plants can be propagated by dividing and replanting the roots between October and March.
I have a large red flowered specimen which I planted many years ago. It dies back to ground level every autumn and reappears every spring. It has survived some really severe winters (although it is planted in a fairly sheltered spot) and the flowers are as spectacular now as they were when the plant was young. Another good thing about this plant is that it does not seem to be attractive to slugs. It is one of my favourite plants, I just wish the flowers lasted longer.
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