Bleeding Heart, Japanese Bleeding Heart, Common Bleeding Heart
Dicentra spectabilis
Family: Papaveraceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Dicentra spectabilis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Woods and deep shady valleys.
E. Asia - N. China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. Locally naturalized in Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves in spring - cooked.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Specimen, Woodland garden. Easily grown in a rich light soil. Grows best in a light but good woodland soil, preferably not limy. Prefers light shade and some shelter from winds. Tolerates a sunny position if it is growing in a moist border but once planted the plant should not be disturbed since the roots are brittle. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to at least -20°c. The seed is difficult to harvest, it ripens and is shed very quickly. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features: Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be sown in early spring. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c. Two weeks warm stratification at 18°c followed by six weeks at 2°c can shorten up the germination time. Prick out the plants into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, grow them on for their first winter in a cold frame and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring. Division in early spring. Care must be taken since the plant strongly resents root disturbance. Division is best carried out in late winter. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Root cuttings 7 - 10cm long in sandy soil in a cold frame.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The plant is potentially poisonous and can also cause skin rashes.