The short answer

Quick Answer

Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) thrives in partial shade or full shade on chalky, clay soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 60 to 90cm tall and wide. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: After flowering, when foliage goes yellow

How: Cut back yellowed stems to ground level. The plant goes dormant by mid-summer

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Siberia, northern China, Korea and Japan

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Introduced to UK gardens in 1846 by the plant hunter Robert Fortune. Re-classified from Dicentra to Lamprocapnos in 1997 based on DNA evidence

Folklore: The heart-shaped flowers symbolised unrequited love in Victorian flower language

Fun fact: Each flower has a tiny white inner petal that, when pulled, looks like a drop of water. Children call this the 'tear drop' game

Historical medicinal uses: All parts toxic. Used in Chinese traditional medicine but not for self-medication

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bumblebees visit the flowers [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 3 out of 10 Low. Mostly ornamental[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Arching stems of heart-shaped flowers April to June[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with hostas, ferns and late perennials that fill the gap when dicentra dies back

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Rarely troubled. Occasionally aphids on new growth. See RHS Lamprocapnos page

Invasive note: Not invasive. Goes dormant in summer

CGM care note

Dicentra disappears by July so we always plant something to fill the gap. A clump of hardy geraniums in front works well because they spread into the space left behind.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)

How Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Hosta (Plantain Lily), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hydrangea, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hardy Garden Ferns, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Astilbe, shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Hellebores (Lenten Rose), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders
  • Epimedium (Barrenwort), shares shade tolerance, will not compete for light under trees or along north-facing borders

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Dicentra (Bleeding Heart).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) (Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis)). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis). Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Papaveraceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Carillo-Reyes P, Sosa V, Lira R (2014). Phylogeny and biogeography of Papaveraceae. Systematic Botany, 39(1), 277-288.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Papaveraceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight, medicinal_uses.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The pollinator description above ("Bumblebees visit the flowers") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Low. Mostly ornamental") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Arching stems of heart-shaped flowers April to June".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bumblebees visit the flowers"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Low. Mostly ornamental") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Papaveraceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) performs well locally

Towns where Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

View all areas we cover