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Dicentra spectabilis - (L.)Lem.

Common Name Bleeding Heart, Japanese Bleeding Heart, Common Bleeding Heart
Family Papaveraceae
USDA hardiness 3-9
Known Hazards The plant is potentially poisonous and can also cause skin rashes[222].
Habitats Woods and deep shady valleys[187].
Range E. Asia - N. China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. Locally naturalized in Europe[50].
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Dicentra spectabilis Bleeding Heart, Japanese Bleeding Heart, Common Bleeding Heart


Dicentra spectabilis Bleeding Heart, Japanese Bleeding Heart, Common Bleeding Heart

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves in spring - cooked[105, 177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Specimen, Woodland garden. Easily grown in a rich light soil[1]. Grows best in a light but good woodland soil, preferably not limy[208]. Prefers light shade and some shelter from winds[175]. 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[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to at least -20°c[187]. The seed is difficult to harvest, it ripens and is shed very quickly[134]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[134]. Stored seed should be sown in early spring[175]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c[175]. Two weeks warm stratification at 18°c followed by six weeks at 2°c can shorten up the germination time[134]. 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[200]. Care must be taken since the plant strongly resents root disturbance[200]. Division is best carried out in late winter[188]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dicentra canadensisSquirrel CornPerennial0.2 4-8  LMFSM12 
Dicentra cucullariaDutchman's BreechesPerennial0.1 5-9 MLMFSM02 
Dicentra eximiaDwarf bleeding heart, turkey-cornPerennial0.4 3-9 MLMHFSM004

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Lem.

Botanical References

58200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

spice royer   Fri Dec 16 2005

this plant grows happily in ottawa canada - zone 5.

Jasmine   Wed Jan 3 2007

what are the different parts of the bleeding heart for example its stem what are the other parts?

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Subject : Dicentra spectabilis  
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