wild bleeding heart, Dicentra eximia

Here's one more of those unusual poppy flower shapes. Of course, it's unusual only if you've got a picture of a poppy in your head. Bleeding hearts are pretty well known. This native species, along with the west coast D. formosa, has now joined the European one in our gardens. These are shorter, more delicate plants than the traditional ones, but the flowers are just as creative. These were a fortunate discovery on a rocky top in Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, a little late in their season. Wild bleeding hearts grow in GA, IL, MA, MD(E), MI, NC, NH, NJ(T), NY, OH, PA(T), SC, TN, VA, VT, and WV. Pendleton Co WV, 7/16/15.