Plant of the month - bleeding heart

For a long time this plant was known as Dicentra - now it’s been renamed Lamprocapnos spectabilis.  In any case its common name is ‘bleeding heart’, which is much easier to remember.  And no wonder: its flowers are shaped like little hearts, dropping from gracefully arching stems and surrounded by frond-like foliage.

This is a great hardy perennial for semi-shade and blends well in a woodland-style border.  It’s commonly seen in shades of red and dark pink, though cultivars in pale pink and white are well worth seeking out.  A related species, Dicentra formosa, is free-flowering and spreads gradually, offering a more naturalistic look.

Bleeding heart can be divided in early spring to make more plants - it’s also possible to take root cuttings in winter.  Once it has finished flowering the foliage will gradually die back during the summer.  They’re easy to care for and fairly trouble-free - a spring flower to fall in love with.