Lamprocapnos spectabilis

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bleeding heart

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Other common names

bleeding hearts, Dutchman's breeches, lady in the bath, locks and keys, lyre flower, seal flower, showy bleeding heart

Synonyms

Dicentra spectabilis

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial to about 1m tall, producing a mound of fleshy divided, mid-green leaves to 40cm long, with cut or lobed leaflets. Heart-shaped, rose-red, purple-pink or white flowers hang from arching succulent stems in late spring or early summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
All parts cause stomach ache if ingested, the foliage may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Lamprocapnos are rhizomatous perennials with attractively divided leaves and pendent, heart-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Siberia, China, Korea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline; site in partial shade although will tolerate sun if the soil is reliably moist

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring or after the leaves have died down or propagate by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slug damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free