Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Bleeding heart
Common names: Asian bleeding heart, Lady in the bath
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Pot size
- from 10 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- May–Jun
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Photo: Roozitaa · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
The bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a well-known shade perennial. From mid‑May (week 20) the plant produces heart‑shaped flowers ranging from pink to white that dangle like pearls on drooping stems. Its foliage resembles fine fern fronds, giving the plant a pleasing structure even when not in bloom. After flowering the plant fully retreats in summer, a normal seasonal response, not a sign of disease. All parts contain alkaloids and are poisonous if ingested, so keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Care instructions
Plant in partial to full shade on humus‑rich, consistently moist soil, such as under light trees. Water regularly during dry spells, especially during the blooming period in May and June; the plant does not tolerate waterlogged soil. After the summer retreat, simply cut away the wilted foliage; the roots survive winter in the ground. Apply a mulch layer of leaf litter or compost in autumn to protect roots over winter and provide nutrients in spring. Divide the clumps every few years in early spring to encourage vigorous new growth and increased flower abundance.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringMay–Jun
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich
Bleeding heart likes it humus-rich and evenly moist, but without waterlogging. A loose garden soil enriched with compost in partial shade under trees and shrubs comes closest to its natural woodland-edge home. Heavy, compacted soils are best loosened with sand or fine compost before planting.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar–Apr
One dose of mature compost in early spring, as soon as the first shoots come out of the ground, is enough for the whole season. Alternatively, well-rotted manure or horn shavings, worked shallowly into the soil, are suitable. After flowering and before the leaves die back, the plant needs no further feeding.
Overwintering
Bleeding heart is hardy and quite naturally retreats into the ground after flowering in summer. Do not remove the foliage above ground until it has turned completely yellow, so that the plant can still store reserves in the rootstock. A mulch layer of leaves gives the root zone additional protection from severe frost, but in mild locations it is usually not needed.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- Cuttings
The most reliable way is to divide bleeding heart in early spring or straight after it dies back in late summer, carefully separating the rootstock with a spade into pieces, each with one eye bud. Replant the pieces straight away in humus-rich, moist soil and keep them well moist in the first weeks. Root cuttings in spring are an alternative for more experienced gardeners, but need more patience until they sprout. Sowing is possible, but with this species it takes unusually long to first flowering.
For your garden
Grow Bleeding heart yourself
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