Dicentra spectabilis

Dicentra spectabilis: The Victorian Heartthrob of Spring Shade

Your grandmother grew this. Her grandmother probably grew it too. Rose-pink hearts hang in perfect rows, still outliving every trendy plant that came after them. OLD SCHOOL NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis)
• Common Name: Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart
• Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Spread: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Flowers: Rose-pink, heart-shaped, with small white inner petals, hanging in rows from arching stems
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Soft green and deeply divided. It often goes dormant in summer heat.
• Features: Long-lived, good cut flower

Where to Plant: It is at home in shady borders, woodland gardens, foundation beds on the north or east side of the house, and under tall trees. The leaves usually fade by midsummer, so plan for later fillers nearby, and grow a few extra stems for cutting.

Companion Plants: Give old-fashioned bleeding heart a moist, shady bed with plants that cover the space after it goes dormant. Brunnera 'Jack Frost' opens baby-blue flowers at 30 to 38 cm in April and May over silver leaves. Heuchera FOREVER® Red adds bright red foliage at 15 to 20 cm. Hosta 'Francee' brings white-edged leaves at 50 to 60 cm to fill the gap in summer. Liriope 'Monroe White' edges the front at 30 to 45 cm with white spikes in August and September.

Plant Care: Plant in part shade to full shade in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It can handle morning sun if the soil stays moist. Work compost into heavy clay so the fleshy roots don't rot over winter. Water regularly in spring. Shearing the plant back after flowering can tidy it up. When the foliage yellows in summer, cut it back. It's resting, not dying. Mark the spot. Mature clumps resent being moved, so leave it be unless you need to divide, ideally in early spring. Wear gloves when handling, since the sap can irritate skin and all parts are toxic if eaten.

History: The species is native to northeast China and Korea, and after an early introduction to England in 1810 was lost, plant hunter Robert Fortune brought it back in 1846 from a garden on Chusan Island. It became a Victorian favourite and now sits in its own genus, Lamprocapnos, while spectabilis simply means showy.

Final Thoughts: Plant it once, then pass a piece on to the grandkids. IT WILL PROBABLY OUTLAST THE FAMILY HOME.