Japanese Bleeding Heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis

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.