Lamprocapnos Species, Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart, Lady-in-a-Bath, Lady's Locket

On Sep 10, 2017, ibrakeforgardens from Kitchener,
Canada wrote:

I'm from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada - Zone 5.
I have clay soil.

I love Old-fashioned bleeding heart (formerly called Dicentra spectabilis).
In fact, seeing this plant for the first time is what really sparked my interest in gardening so many years ago!!

I'm pretty sure to keep your bleeding heart from going dormant in the summer is to keep the soil a little bit moist (not wet, just moist - it likes woodland conditions) throughout the summer.
I just dump a little bit of water on the soil most morning's from my dog's water dish, to try and create damp woodland-like conditions.
It's Sept 10 now and my bleeding heart is still standing tall (3' by 3'), however it is yellowing now and has been for a few weeks now.

On May 11, 2015, ZombiShakespear from Clayton, NC wrote:

This is one of my favorite plants for a shady spot. Even after the flowers are finished, I think the plant's form and foliage are still beautiful. I have mine planted in good, rich soil near the back of the flower bed in between 2 small azaleas. I've had no trouble with pests or diseases. I'm right on the border of Zones 7b and 8a, if that helps.

On Nov 28, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

A fantastic perennial for deciduous shade in the north. Generally goes dormant when the weather gets hot, though in moist shade in the north the foliage may stay in good condition as late as September. You can cut this down to the ground any time after flowering is finished and fill the gap with annuals, if you're careful to avoid damaging the brittle roots.

I find occasional self-sown seedlings. The white form comes true from seed if isolated, but is less vigorous than the pink.

If you pick a flower and turn it upside-down, you'll see why this was once called "lady-in-a-bathtub."

This species does not like the hot humid summers and brief winters of the US southeast, and is often unsuccessful south of Z7. Those reporting rebloom and those report... read moreing long-term success in eastern N. America south of Z7 are most likely describing a different (native) species, D. eximia or D. formosa or one of their hybrids. All members of this genus are called bleeding hearts, and this species is distinguished from the others by the common names "showy bleeding heart" or "common bleeding heart."

Easily propagated by division when dormant. The roots are fleshy and very brittle, they dry out quickly. Include at least one dormant bud on each division.

On Apr 19, 2012, MarcoPlo from Sudbury , ON (Zone 4b) wrote:

Very successful plants here! I have a white, a pink & a red! All do well, they are in mostly shade with some light morning sun. The pink has been transplanted nearly half a dozen times! They rebloom often when we have a cool damp season. The Red is my fave.

On May 24, 2010, madgrace from Hershey, PA (Zone 6a) wrote:

We have one in almost complete shade on a slope surrounded by pachysandra and do nothing for it. It has flourished with our benign neglect! We have another one in a flower bed that gets more sun that has been setting out seedlings and spreading. They put on a lovely spring show of flowers. Ours are not vines. They're almost like tender shrubs with no woody growth, but impressive spread-- to almost 3-4' wide.

On Feb 26, 2010, pgcarroll from Belleair, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

It took us a while to find just the right spot for our bleeding heart - a cutting from friends in Boca Raton. Once we planted two specimens on either side of an arch in our sunny back yard, they took off. The only thing that stops the blooming (which occurs in cycles throughout the year) is our rare freeze - just like this year (2010). I've cut them back to the ground and fully expect that they will rebound. This is a lovely vine (although with no tendrils, it does need a little "encouragement" to twine around our arch) and blooms repeatedly for us. We had such a nice thick set of vines last year that cardinals built a nest and raised two young at the apex of the arch.

On Jun 16, 2009, nford from Hot Springs Village, AR (Zone 7b) wrote:

I ordered 2 from SpringHillNursery.com and planted them next to each other in a shady area (zone 7b). One came up nicely and the other, not at all. The one that came up had flowers right away. SpringHill is supposed to be sending a replacement for the dead one.

On Apr 27, 2009, leelynne from Dover, PA (Zone 6a) wrote:

I love bleeding hearts. They add color to my shady spots. I have 3 of these...2 pink and 1 white. The one pink I've had for 3 years and transplanted 3 times, every year it's come back bigger and better. The other pink and white I just got and have high hopes that they will do as well as my first one.

On Jul 31, 2008, ravenskies from London, Ontario,
Canada wrote:

I bought a 2 gallon pot this spring, and the plant grew so well in my partially shady, zone 5 location that I have had to cut it back twice so far, and it has only been planted for 3 months. It is still sending out flowers on a regular basis, and it is August now.
Only problem that I have had is that the plant was forked at the base, and split one windy afternoon. I staked the broken half, and so far 3 weeks later, it looks quite healthy. I'll post next year with an update.

On May 2, 2008, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote:

I would say this plant is difficult for a beginner - many may die because of bad locations or not watering it regularly but a few will success - the main thing is to keep watering - the first few plants may take years to flowers - the more you add, the more they will self seed and becomes more of a weed than a perennial and blooms quickly from seedlings as they resent transplanting so will sulk for a few years (3 to 4 years for me) but flowers in 2 to 3 years from seedlings if left alone. Their seedlings which I sometimes pull because of their weedy habits and difficult to move comes up with two seedleaves and then they have trifoliate for their first true leaves. The taproot is generally single and orangish brown. After that they will grow rapidly and by the second year they may be mov... read moreed for those who have too short springs leading in hot summers.
I have found recently that at least one big patch had died - only one little plant survived - another patch that was huge died some years ago under mystery conditions - I think it is a disease - maybe fungus - there are so much undecomposed remains that it gave me a bit of difficultiy planting new plants - I saw black raised spots on the remains of the root sections - fungus but could be just feeding on the dead cells.

On Apr 26, 2008, djmanny from New Bedford, MA wrote:

Well to start out with,I have three of these plants 1- Pink & 2- white ones. I've had them for 6 yrs and all are doing well.The 2 in the backyard are about 12" tall & about 16 in" wide.There in light sun in the morning & shade in the evening and do well. The Pink one is in the front of my house & is my pride of the three.It's Grows 24" to 36" high, and 18" to 24" spread And I do very little care to this flower and I think it is a easy flower to grow. So far it comes back every year and looks and feels stronger I let it die till the end and what is left I pull out of the ground. I grab the dead branches I pull them.It should come out very easy. ( note ) By the way they where the frist plantes I got for a house warming gift

On Apr 14, 2008, SarahSanuth from Hooksett, NH wrote:

Plated in shady area, though that they weren't doing well because of the conditions and just replanted in my backyard. Didn't think that they would even regrow. To my amazement, they are currently growing at great speed.

Also planted in an area in my front yard then I thought that it might be too hot there because it gets full sun. Thought it would not grow back this year. Was going to replant somewhere else. Changed my mind when it came back this year. Not big right now because it is still semi-cold here. But grows great no matter where I put it.

On Feb 8, 2008, krissy_p from Pipe Creek, TX wrote:

I bought a huge bare root bleeding heart from easytogrowbulbs.com and I planted it about a month ago. Now it is blooming already! It is the first thing to bloom in my whole garden (early Feb.), and it is so beautiful!

On Oct 1, 2007, mbhoakct76 from Winsted, CT wrote:

Its a lovely flower but the foliage goes dormant in summer, here in northern CT by mid june- its completely died down to the ground.
Remeber where that plant was and dont go diggin it up and calling it dead- cause it might be back.
I have had bleeding hearts thrive in the past - but they were planted in full sun, although its known to be shade plant. my neighbors also have this thriving as a full size plant in full sun.
I planted 3 last year in a shade garden - so far only 1 returned.

On Aug 28, 2007, alicealger from Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) wrote:

In Augusta, Georgia, I have tried with three plants. One is barely surviving, no blooms. I think it doesn't take heat well -- certainly not the 100+ degrees of a Georgia summer.

On Jun 26, 2007, Glama from Georgetown, KY (Zone 6a) wrote:

When I was a little girl the house up the street from us had a bleeding heart plant and I thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world, I used to sneak up the street to look at it through their old iron fence, it was so delicate and the colors was wonderful. Now I have my own and I love it. I have it in the morning sun and afternoon shade and it has thrived very well from a little stick two years ago. The pink one lived but the white one died. I'm going to plant two more in my shade garden and see they do. The pink seems to do much better then the white, tougher stuff I guess. I do love mine, easy to grow and much reward.

On Jun 18, 2007, dicentra63 from West Valley City, UT (Zone 6b) wrote:

My dicentras are as happy as clams at high tide, despite the non-acidic, nitrogen-poor soil and their continued exposure to the herbicide-laden leaves from Ailanthus altissima. They are in a shady spot and in this Zone 6 they do die back in July from the heat. But in late spring, they're incredible. I've had them for 7 years now, and they get better every year.

I have tried without luck to grow Astilbe and Hostas in this same spot. The Hosta struggles from being snail-bitten and the Astilbe can't handle something in the soil.

On May 11, 2007, bsimpson1972 from Chicago, IL (Zone 6a) wrote:

Well, the same, everybody has to add: Not too much shade, not too much sun, a little bit of a diva.... When established, keep weeds or other "Aggressors" in check, and you'll have one of the most beautiful and easy to care for perennials! Loving it! HIGHLY recommended! You'll need a cold winter, though.... I guess, it won't do too well in the warmer areas!

On Dec 15, 2006, jhiller from St. John's,
Canada wrote:

Grows well in Newfoundland, Canada,

On Aug 12, 2006, Sherlock221 from Lancaster, KY wrote:

This is a lovely, interesting plant. As one other person noted, I too have had it die back completely in summer, especially during drought periods -- however, it always comes back the next spring, even though it appeared to have died. So don't give up on them too early! Somone else mentioned that when they die back, they leave a big empty space in the garden. I recommended planting them with astilbe and ferns like I did -- those plants are slower to start in spring and are getting larger as they bleeding heart dies back, so they hide it and then fill in the space it leaves. Plus the different textures of the three look very nice together. Mine is growing in a fairly shady area that gets a little bit of filtered sun. It's growing beneath a huge Cornelian Cherry Dogwood and right agai... read morenst my front porch, which stays in shade all the time. Its gorgeous blooms come at a time when most other things aren't blooming -- such a welcome sight in spring! You don't have to pay alot for them -- I got mine at a grocery store. It gets larger with more blooms each year. Highly recommended.

On Jul 17, 2006, sandy4 from Reading, MA wrote:

I have about 30 of these plants in my yard. I have noticed the white variety stands up to summer heat a lot better than the old fashioned pink variety. Mine grow fine just about anywhere in my yard. Some are even growing in sand between my patio blocks. The older plants tend to die back completely early once it gets too hot but they always come back the following spring if the ground isn't disturbed. They grow very well in shade under pine trees. Once the plants are established drought will not kill them easily. Young plants should be watered more often.

On May 28, 2006, staceysmom from (GayLynn) Appleton, WI (Zone 5a) wrote:

Planted this little beauty in a shady spot in my backyard last year. It grew beautifully and blossomed then something chewed through the stalk and it was gone. Was going to buy another to replace it this spring but found it was coming up again. Sure enough something ate it again. But it's a fighter. It has come up a second time this spring. It is now about a foot tall and doing great. Guess as long as nothing happens to the roots it will keep coming back.

On May 21, 2006, bunnytut from Sammamish, WA wrote:

I remember my grandmother growing this plant in her
Spokane, WA garden, she even potted them and grew them as a house plant in a sunny window during the winter.. I'll always remember she called them "Lady in the Bathtub" plant...if you take a blossom and invert it, gently pull apart the two outer petals and you'll see why. So I now live in Sammamish WA and Iv'e got about a dozen of very healthy Dicentra here and there in my yard, quite a variety actually. Evey time I walk by one I remember my sweet Grandma that makes them very special to me.....OH and my grandchildren are as intrigued by "Lady in the Bathtubs" as I was as a kid!

On May 17, 2006, tybrut from Plaistow, NH wrote:

This plant was one of the first perrenial that I planted next to my bench when I moved to my home 11 years ago. It is absolutely stunning at its peak. It does get ratty once it becomes very warm but the plant goes dormant in the summer. At that point, I just give it a hard cut and my other flowers are there to take over.
I do wish this plant was invasive in my yard as the previous writer......instead I get creeping charlie amongst other less desirables.

On May 5, 2006, sumer64 from Austin, IN (Zone 7b) wrote:

I have found that this plant grows in my area (southern Indiana) much better if it has more shade then sun. I planted it once in part shade/sun and lost all but the roots, but then planted it next to my deck under a tree with more shade and it is doing wonderful this year. It has doubled in size and the flowers are perfect, no problems with the leaves either, moderate water.

On Apr 17, 2006, joylee68 from Pleasant City, OH wrote:

I bought one last spring at a small store, and brought it home and planted in a shady spot on my bank in the shade, behind a heartshaped sandstone, and this spring, it is taking off beautifully. It's only about 12" high, but hope for it to grow bigger.

On Mar 26, 2006, quilt from Olive Branch, MS (Zone 7b) wrote:

Purchased 2 plants last spring and planted in my semi-shade garden. Lost both plants and do not know what the problem was, not a lot of sun and proper drainage and water. The plants were healthy when planted but never did well---

On Feb 21, 2006, TBGDN from (Zone 5a) wrote:

Easy; hardy; self sews; loves shade; hates 'wet feet', Nice!

On Jan 25, 2006, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote:

I love bleeding hearts. The flowers look more like a little girl's charm necklace than a real, living plant. It is just so fascinating. They may die back in the heat of summer, but come back in spring. Stratification in a moist medium aids germination of seeds; they are slow to germinate. Blooms April-June in my garden.

On Jun 17, 2005, llebpmac_bob from Zephyr,
Canada wrote:

Very impressive while it's with you- as one other poster said they can get to be about 4 feet across- but they do leave an awful hole in the garden when they go dormant for the year. I stick a couple of containers full of annuals in the space they leave. If you don't like the empty space you might try the smaller D. eximia. Mine stay all year. and you get a choice of pinkish or white flowers depending on the variety.

On May 19, 2005, nevadagdn from Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote:

In my area, this plant grows well in shade and moist soil.

On Jul 7, 2004, hanna1 from Castro Valley, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

I planted one in February, did quite well, quite large, can't wait for next early spring. Another just came up last month, waiting to see what it will do. We have been at our home for 1 year.

On Sep 21, 2003, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

San Antonio, TX
I have attempted to grow this plant 2 different years with no luck. After trying everything to please it, I gave up. My zone is listed as an area in which it will grow, but maybe it is just too hot for it.

On Aug 7, 2003, vagardener from Springfield, VA wrote:

This is a lovely plant that I planted in a border that receives nice mid-morning sun and shade the rest of the day. It loves the location and returns bigger and stronger each year. Unfortunately, it does not last much beyond early June no matter what I try to keep it going. I grew it in Southern Connecticut in full sun and it lasted a bit longer, but it was gone by mid-August.

On Jun 6, 2003, CanadaGoose from Oakville, ON (Zone 5b) wrote:

Grows well in my shade garden. Plant is currently 3 years old and about 2.5 ft tall by approximately 6 ft wide. Will divide next spring.

On May 27, 2003, mh from Mississauga,
Canada wrote:

I have had success with this plant in a full sun location, in sandy soil, by keeping the soil moist at all times.

On Jan 5, 2003, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:

Drought sends this plant into early dormancy; prolonged wet soil makes it die. Best in that infamous "moist, well-drained soil".

Bleeding-heart can easily be the most breath-taking showstopper in the garden when in full growth. It also makes children avid gardeners.

On Nov 17, 2000, jody from MD &, VA (Zone 7b) wrote:

Grows 24" to 36" high, and 18" to 24" spread. Flowers are heart shaped and usually pink, although there are white, red, purple, and yellow varieties, as well. The white species 'alba' comes true from seed. Flowers in late spring to early summer and dies down to the ground afterwards. The leaves are very graceful. Best cultivated in light shade, humus rich, well draining soil. Propagate from division or seed. They don't flower well or grow well without a period of winter cold. Hardy zones 2-9.