Japanese Bleeding Heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dicentra spectabilis
- Lamprocapnos spectabilis Fumariaceae
- Phonetic Spelling
- lam-pro-KAP-nos spek-TAB-il-iss.
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Asian bleeding heart is an erect herbaceous perennial in the Papaveraceae family. The common name is derived from the exerted inner petals "bleeding" from the outer heart-shaped petals
Found growing in shady forests the delicate arching branches are tipped with pink to white flowers reach a height and width of 2 to 3 feet. Plant in partial shade in well drained moist soils. Heavy soils will be problematic for this plant. Delicate blooms will appear late spring to early summer. The fern-like foliage yellows and drops by mid-summer after blooming when plant dries out, but adequate water can extend the time the leaves remain on the plant. While 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. Propagate this plant through seeds or divide them in the fall or spring.
Plant in a cutting or woodland garden, a shade border, or use as a filler plant. Think about the empty space this plant will make in the late summer, early fall, and winter and plan accordingly. The native Dicentra eximia has longer blooming period, and more dissected, fine-textured leaves, replacing this old-time garden favorite.
Quick ID Hints:
- Herb with a basal rosette of ternately decompound leaves
- Petals heart-shaped with a reflexed apical lobe
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect problems though aphids are occasional visitors.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- 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
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 2 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- 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, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- 3-15 flowers per pendulous raceme, bracts subulate, heart-shaped in outline. Two sepals are inconspicuous, four petals are in opposite pairs with the outer petals rose-red, pink to white, inner white petals are tongue-shaped with convexed inner faces and crested tips.
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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:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- 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