Lamprocapnos spectabilis aka Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis, or bleeding heart, belongs to the poppy family. Its older name is Dicentra spectabilis. This perennial forms loose clumps and returns each spring. Kew places its native range in northeastern China and northern Korea. Garden sources give a wider range, including Siberia and Japan. It grows in damp grassland and shaded woods. Garden plants reach about 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) tall and wide. RHS gives an upper size of 3.3 feet (1 m) each way.

The leaves form a soft mound beneath the flower stems. Each compound leaf divides into smaller groups of lobed leaflets. Their upper sides are green, with a blue-grey cast below. Leaves can reach 1.3 feet (0.4 m) long. The thick, fleshy stems bend into arcs as they grow. Leaves turn yellow and fall after the flowers fade. In warm places, the plant rests through the summer. Enough water can help the leaves last a little longer.

Flowers hang in rows along the curved stems. Each raceme holds about seven to fifteen heart-shaped blooms. The outer petals may be pink, rose-red, purple-pink, or white. White inner petals project below the heart like a drop. Bloom runs from April to June, with timing set by climate. Chicago records flowers in May and June. Long seed capsules follow, each holding two to eight black seeds. Bees reach inside the flowers for nectar and transfer pollen. The blooms also draw butterflies and hummingbirds.

Choose partial shade and rich soil that holds moisture but drains well. Morning sun with shade later in the day suits it. It also grows in deeper shade. Full sun needs cool conditions and a steady water supply. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil suits it best. It tolerates sand and clay, but dislikes wet winter soil. Dry summer soil also causes problems. Chicago lists USDA zones 3–9; RHS rates it H6. It needs no pruning and suits woodland beds and shaded borders. Ferns or hostas can fill the space left by summer dormancy. The flowers also serve as cut blooms.

Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Aphids may visit, and slugs can chew the leaves. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. All parts can cause poisoning when eaten, including harm to pets. Its alkaloids can affect the nervous system. Leaf contact may cause a rash, so wear gloves. PFAF records cooked young leaves as food, but also warns of poison risk. This conflicting record does not establish safe use as food.