Color:

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Perennial

Poppy Family

Heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems. Romantic and whimsical. Also called lady in the bath. Shade lover. Symbol of unrequited love. Cottage garden favorite.

Bloom Season

Spring

Habitat

Temperate

Where to Buy

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Perfect For

Wedding

Care & Vase Life

Stays fresh for 5 to 7 days

when properly cared for

Cut stems in the morning when flowers are most hydrated

Handle delicate heart-shaped blooms very carefully

Use cool water and keep in shade

Sear stem ends briefly in hot water to improve uptake

Very delicate

Keep very cold

Change water daily

Mist flowers

Fragrance Profile

No Scent

Bleeding Heart has no fragrance

Safety Information

Toxic to Cats

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Humans

Contains isoquinoline alkaloids - can cause skin irritation on contact and digestive upset if ingested

Fun Facts

Each flower really does look like a heart with a drop of blood

In Japan, they are called tai-tsuriou meaning sea bream fishing flower

Victorian ladies kept them in cool parlors as symbols of romantic love

Also known as Ladys Locket or Lyre Flower

Origin & History

Native to Asia

Native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan, Bleeding Heart was introduced to Western gardens in the 1840s by plant hunter Robert Fortune. It quickly became a Victorian favorite for shade gardens and romantic symbolism. The distinctive heart-shaped flowers have captivated gardeners for nearly two centuries.