Bleeding Heart
Location
General Plants
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- Common name: Bleeding Heart
- Scientific name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- Family name: Papaveraceae
- Origin: Siberia, Japan, and Northern China
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Width: 2-3 ft
- Growth: Medium
- Zone: 2-9
- Light needs: Partial shade
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter content. Prefers acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5)
- Moisture: Moderate water needs, should be watered regularly
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
- Pests/Diseases: Not very susceptible to pests and diseases, although aphids may be a minor problem.
- Growing conditions: Best planted in somewhat shady areas with well-drained soil. In warm climates, it is especially important that the plant gets enough shade. Water less in the winter and more in the summer.
- Characteristics: Leaves are simple and coarsely lobed with a rosulate arrangement. Stems are short. The flowers grow in lines on racemes at the ends of stems, and have a distinct heart or pendant-like shape. The flowers are usually pink and white.
- Propagation: By cuttings or by seeds
- Wildlife: The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds
- Facts: Its epithet “spectabilis” means spectacular or showy. Its common name, Bleeding Heart, comes from the appearance of the flowers: the outer petals form a heart-like shape, and the inner petals stick out from underneath it, creating the appearance of a bleeding heart. Several cultivars exist: “Alba” has completely white flowers, and “Goldheart” produces yellow leaves.
- Designer considerations: Its shade tolerance and delicate pink flowers make it great for wildflower gardens. Additionally, its attractiveness to pollinators makes it a great plant for butterfly gardens. Best paired with plants that have pink or white flowers, or grown around taller plants.
