Practical
Plants

Dicentra spectabilis

Bleeding Heart

a perennial member of the Dicentra genus in the family Papaveraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is potentially poisonous and can also cause skin rashes[10].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves in spring - cooked[2][5].

Plant part
Leaves

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N. China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. Locally naturalized in Europe[12].
Habitat
Woods and deep shady valleys[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. Stored seed should be sown in early spring[4]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c[4]. Two weeks warm stratification at 18°c followed by six weeks at 2°c can shorten up the germination time[3]. 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[8]. Care must be taken since the plant strongly resents root disturbance[8]. Division is best carried out in late winter[7]. 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[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a rich light soil[1]. Grows best in a light but good woodland soil, preferably not limy[9]. Prefers light shade and some shelter from winds[4]. 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[8]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to at least -20°c[6]. The seed is difficult to harvest, it ripens and is shed very quickly[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  10. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  12. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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