Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis) (Bleeding heart)
Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis) is the classic bleeding heart, loved for its arching stems lined with heart‑shaped flowers in spring. The blooms are typically pink with white tips, and the softly divided foliage gives a graceful, traditional cottage‑garden look.
Plant in partial shade in moist, fertile soil that drains well. It’s perfect beneath light‑canopied trees, alongside hostas and ferns, or tucked into the middle of a border where later‑flowering plants can take over as it finishes for the year.
Set the crown at the same depth as it was growing and water well while it establishes. Mulch in spring to keep roots cool and retain moisture. In very dry spells, watering helps prevent the plant going dormant too quickly after flowering.
After blooming, foliage may fade back as summer arrives. Leave it to die down naturally, then clear away old stems once they are dry. Mark the spot so you don’t disturb the crown, and avoid digging close to the plant while it’s resting.
You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. With a little patience, it will form a long‑lived clump that returns each spring with a fresh display of dangling hearts, ready to welcome pollinators back to the garden.
| Botanical name | Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis) |
| Flower colour | Pink with white |
| Bulb size | 2/3 N |
| Established height | 50–100 cm |
| Established spread | 50–100 cm |
| Plant spacing | 1–3 per m² |
| Leaf colour | Green |
| Habit | Clump forming |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Hardiness | Fully hardy (H6) |
| Years to establish | 1st year |
| Sunlight | Partial shade |
| Position | Sheltered |
| Suitable for | Pots, Borders, Woodland garden |
| Soil acidity | Any |
| Soil moisture | Moist but well-drained |
| Soil type | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
| RHS Award (AGM) | No |
| Growing skill | Easy to grow |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Deer resistant | No |
Planting and Flowering Calendar
Key Features
Packed in paper
Packed peat-free
Great for Shade
Attracts wildlife
Low maintenance
RHS Award (AGM)
Rodent resistant
£5.89
Unit price per
