I grow Dicentra macrocapnos, which is very similar to scandens, here in Canberra. I don't imagine either would like a Queensland summer at all. They have similar cultural requirements to large flowered Clematis hybrids - a cool soil being one of them.

Good luck anyway

I have seed which I will be planting in a few weeks wwhen I move. I got it from a seed company. I had a tiny seedling but I think the snails got to it. I had no idea what they liked so thanks, Pablo for that. I am going somewhere a bit cooler and already have Clematis which I just had to pot up and take, (only small plants), and got seeds from US to try and grow more. I'll be careful to keep the roots cool.

Thanks Pablo well I shall try to find somewhere likely to a bit cooler and if all else fails it'll be heading south.

Update. The Dicentra seems to be going OK so far, despite a fairly hot start to spring, temps at the moment are pretty moderate. Terra-cotta pot with an inch of pebble mulch on top. It's about to reach the top of its small timber trellis and tackle the brick wall under shade panels on the side patio. And it has buds!!!!!

This post started eight years ago. I'm growing Dicentra scandens Athens Yellow which I purchased from a Nursery in North Carolina-called "Plant Delights". It's the third year I've grown them. My first set of four plants returned for a second year, after producing hundreds of yellow-heart-shaped flowers on six foot vines the first year. The second year crop was accidentally killed off by my neighbor who sprayed Round Up in an attempt to rid his yard of Poison Ivy (also a vine) . Killed my poor dicentras, too.So this is my third year, moved to a different spot. Mostly shady-but they are climbing a trellis I placed next to them. It's mid June and they seem okay, but no flowers yet. We've had an uinusually cool and rainy spring after a hard cold winter. I'm on the North Shore of Long Island New York, solid Zone 6. I got interested in Athens Yellow after having success growing Dicentra Spectabilis (pink and red flowers).

Jannie, it was nice to see your post. I can't believe its so long ago that this thread started. My dicentra is still going , still in the same pot, and is actually flowering at the moment. It dies down twice a year and then re-shoots. I guess it must just like its spot, which is sheltered but gets good light. Fortunately its just near the hot water service overflow bucket so I am forced to remember to water it, unlike some others I could name. Unfortunately I've never had any luck with clematis though.