Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Bleeding Heart
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Height
- 1 to 3 feet tall
- Width
- 1 to 2 feet wide
- Flower color
- Pink and white
- Foliage color
- Green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Part shade to full shade
- Water
- Medium; requires consistently moist soil
- Maintenance
- Low; may benefit from mulching to maintain soil moisture
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and hummingbirds; deer and rabbit resistant
About this plant
Lamprocapnos spectabilis, commonly known as Bleeding Heart, is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern Asia, renowned for its heart-shaped, rose-pink flowers with white tips that dangle gracefully from arching stems. The plant's deeply lobed, fresh green leaves provide a lush backdrop to its striking blooms, which appear in spring and can last for several weeks. Low-maintenance and resilient, Bleeding Heart attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding both aesthetic appeal and ecological value to gardens. However, care should be taken as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. This charming perennial adds elegance and whimsy to any garden, making it a popular choice for creating romantic landscapes.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens
Companion plants
Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
