[fisher]

Hi, I have a dicentra formosa (i think) growing under apple trees.  Fairly dry shade...  But it did well last year, flowering for months. It is fairly congested down there with bluebells/solanum/ and more. I watered it thinking it was just dry but its looking grotty!  Any ideas please?  I spose Ill have to get another!
Thanks,
Fisher

[Yorkie]

Probably need more detail - what exactly are the symptoms / is there a photo?

Could be any of a number of things:
lack of water
not enough sun
the cold was too cold over winter

[mumofstig]

my dicentra (bleeding hearts) always die back to the ground at this time of year (after flowering ) but they come back every spring with no problems.

[fisher]

Thanks for suggestions.......I remember that it flowered for ages last year... but ive investigated a bit and pulled out the dead leaves.  There seem to be a few lively ones so maybe all is not lost!
I finally looked up my very heavy rhs book and i find that frost may have damaged it and that my sandy soil isn't its favourite! ah well.. i'm enjoying the irises and allium christophii which ARE flowering nearby!