Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile

white bleeding heart

Synonyms

Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming perennial to about 1m tall, producing a mound of fleshy divided, pale green leaves to 40cm long, with cut or lobed leaflets. Heart-shaped, 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 West–facing or East–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: Accepted

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 moist; suits a woodland garden or semi-shaded border

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