Dicentra spectabilis (Lamprocapnos)

Description

Dicentra spectabilis (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

The beautiful Bleeding Heart or Lady-in-the-Bath. Fresh green ferny foliage above which arch stems dripping pink & white flowers like dewdrops. A picture of poise and grace. 3ft in a nice moist soil. The fleshy roots are delving and brittle so its best not disturbed and best sited in a sheltered situation in sun or partial shade with plenty of humus. In hot situations where water might go short at the roots, the plant will take a period of Summer dormancy but will re-emerge the following Spring. Mulching helps to extend the flowering season. Great cut flower and surprisingly scented. Deer and Rabbit resistant, possibly on account of its yellow sap. You know a plant has been loved for years when it has numerous names. For this one try Bleeding Hearts or Ladies-in-the-Bath, Ladies-in-a-boat or Dutchman’s Breeches or even Lady’s Locket and Lyre Flower. The ladies-in-the-bath/boat reference is only apparent if you take an open flower, turn it upside down and pull the outer petals apart, then it becomes obvious.

Dicentra all prefer a cool position in the garden which will allow them to grow lusher foliage and flower for a longer period. Nothing drives them into their Summer dormancy quicker than drought. They mostly come form woodland fringes and damp mountain soils. All have brittle roots and prefer not to be moved.

Dicentra, has now been split, with the shorter creeping species remaining and the larger species removed to rather snappily named Lamprocapnos, Dactylicapnos and Ichthyoselmis. they are members of the poppy family, a fact that is somewhat disguised by the flowers, but more evident in the sappy brittle nature of the stems.

Dicentra have been listed under Dielytra, which was a botanical spelling error. Dicentra is from the Greek for two (dis) and spurred (kentron) referring to the shape of the flowers.