One of the mostv attractive perennial plants for a woodland or cottage garden is the Bleeding Heart Plant, Lamprocapnos spectabilis.
Previously known as Dicentra spectabilis, this is a spring flowering plant that is grown for the heart shaped flowers that hang beneath long arching stems. Being a perennial they will reappear each year, and over time these beautiful plants get bigger and better. You can grow them in the garden, or in containers and you should plant them in a position where the soil is moist and they get some protection from the afternoon sun.
Care and Maintenance
Choose a position in part shade where the plant will not be disturbed, dig the soil over well and add some well rotted compost and aged cow manure. If you are growing these plants in pots or containers provide similar conditions.
Steps
- After preparing the soil, you are ready to plant your Bleeding Heart plant.
- Plant at the same depth it was in the container.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mark the position so you do not disturb the roots while the plant is dormant.
- Mulch around the plant with well rotted compost and some aged cow manure. Use an organic mulch that breaks down quickly.
- In spring, as the foliage first appears, fertilise with a liquid fish fertiliser or other organic fertiliser.
- Keep moist through spring and summer if rainfall is not adequate.
- Let the foliage die right back and then apply a light organic mulch again.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn.Dicentra spectabilis)
- Common Name – Bleeding Heart.
- Family – Papaveraceae
- Position – Dappled shade to afternoon shade.
- Soil – Humus rich, moist, and well drained.
- Height – To around 1 metre, often less.
- Spread – To around .5 metre in an established clump.
- Flowers – Pink with white heart shaped flowers.
- Flowering time – Spring to early summer.
- Foliage – Ferny and mid green.
- Frost tolerant – Yes
- Drought tolerant – No
Bleeding Hearts Plants are available for sale from the following nurseries
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
21 Eridge Park Rd Bowral NSW 2576
Large range of rare plants, bulbs, trees and shrubs for sale online from our Southern Highlands NSW nurseries.
www.moidartrareplantsandgarden.com
'Sylvan Vale' 375 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama, VIC.3766
Including a large range of Rare and unusual bulbs, corms and perennials
www.tonkinsbulbs.com.au
412 James Lane, Fern Hill VIC. 3458 - Phone 0419002651
Large range of Rare plants, Climbers, Bulbs, Perennials Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Available both Retail and by Mail Order
www.whitehousenursery.com.au
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.jindivickcountrygardener.com.au
P.O. Box 589 Mowbray Heights Tasmania 7248
Mail order: Suppling a range of bulbs and pere nnial plants suitable for pots and troughs. Includes Alliums
www.raithbyplants.com.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au