Bleeding Heart, Old Fashioned #1

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Height: 24-36in
Spread: 18-30in
Zone: 3-9
Exposure: Part shade to full shade
Bloom Time/Color: April-May; pink/white
Uses: Specimen, shade garden
Maintenance: Low
Other: Rabbit resistant, cut flower

Bleeding hearts have long been adored for their spring flowers and most have fond memories of this plant in their mother's or grandmother's gardens. It is a showstopper in spring, with small, multiple pink heart-shaped flowers arranged in lines on stems, that have small white hanging petals that give the hearts an effect of "bleeding". Plants prefer shaded conditions in moist but well-drained soils and may dieback by the summer if left dry. Plants tend to be disease, insect, and rabbit resistant and flowering stems make great cut flowers for bouquets.