Japanese Bleeding Heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dicentra spectabilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- lam-pro-KAP-nos spek-TAB-il-iss.
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
This plant goes dormant during the summer in warm areas, but it can be forced to flower on Valentine's Day by bringing dormant rhizomes into a cool greenhouse in late winter.
Dicentra spectabilis come in vibrant pink to white kissed with pink, solid white and delicate pinks. They are sure to be a showstopper in any garden. The delicate appeal of the lantern, heart-shaped flowers takes you back to the Victorian era and brings you back to the glory that this plant will have in your garden. The colors bring joy, as they appear to dance to the breeze throughout the spring.
Family name Papaveraceae (formerly Fumariaceae)
Quick ID Hints:
- Herb with a basal rosette of ternately decompound le
- Scape a secund raceme of pendulous flowers
- Petals heart-shaped with a reflexed apical lobe
Erect perennial herb 2-3' tall; branches and inflorescence arching apically.
Blooms late spring to early summer; exerted inner petals is the "bleeding" from the outer heart-shaped petals; foliage yellows and drops by mid-summer when plant dries out, thus water necessary; utilized as cut flower, poy plant ("living valentine"), shaded border, filler plant; D. eximia has longer blooming period, more dissected, fine-textured leaves, replacing this old-time garden favorite.
Requires partial shade & adequate moisture; fungal disease problems.
Its seed can be sown in late summer. Plant division can also be accomplished in fall or spring. It can be found growing in forests or other natural areas. It is a native in rich woods.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White blooms, more robust - 'Gold Heart'
Yellow leaves
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Gold Heart'
- Tags:










- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White blooms, more robust - 'Gold Heart'
Yellow leaves
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Gold Heart'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lamprocapnos
- Species:
- spectabilis
- Family:
- Papaveraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China to Korea
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- A secund raceme, axis arching; bracts subulate. Pendulous, 3-15 per raceme, heart-shaped in outline; sepals 2, rudimentary, minute, inconspicuous; petals 4, in opposite pairs; outer petals rose-red, pink to white, spurred at base, swollen, heart-shaped, laterally compressed, apex slender, reflexed; inner petals tongue-shaped with convexed inner faces and crested apices, exerted, white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- In a basal rosette, ternately decompound; leaflets ovate, coarsely lobed or toothed, acute, cuneate; cauline leaves few, simple with lanceolate lobes.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Short stemmed.
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-
Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Trembling, staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and labored breathing. Skin irritation after repeated contact with the cell sap.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Several isoquinolone alkaloids.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems