View source for Bleeding Heart

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Fumariaceae
|genus=Lamprocapnos
|species=spectabilis
|common_name=Bleeding heart, Venus's car, Dutchman's trousers, lyre flower
|habit=herbaceous
|Min ht metric=cm
|Max ht box=4
|Max ht metric=ft
|Max wd box=18
|Max wd metric=in
|origin=Siberia, Korea, N China
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=part-sun, shade
|water=moist
|features=flowers
|flower_season=late spring, early summer
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=3
|max_zone=9
|sunset_zones=1-9, 14-24, 31-45
|image=Dicentra-spectabilis.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_caption=L. spectabilis
}}
'''''Dicentra spectabilis''''' (syn. Dicentra spectabilis) also known as '''Venus's car''', '''bleeding heart''', '''Dutchman's trousers''', or '''lyre flower''', is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] herbaceous plant native to eastern [[Asia]] from [[Siberia]] south to [[Japan]]{{wp}}. This species of [[Dicentra|bleeding heart]] can grow to 24"-36" tall and has ternately [[leaf|compound leaves]] (leaflets that come in threes){{wp}}. The [[flower]]s are pendulous, shaped much like hearts, produced in a raceme bearing 3-15 individual flowers, each one 1-2" long, with pink outer petals and white inner petals. The flowering season is from early spring to mid summer{{wp}}. The common name of this plant, bleeding heart, comes from the heart-shaped flowers which have a longer inner petal that extends below the 'heart'{{wp}}.

{{Inc|
Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Dicentra spectabilis, Lem. Dielytra spectabilis, Don). Bleeding- Heart. Height 1-2 ft.: lvs. and lfts. broadest of the group, the ultimate segms. obovate or cuneate: fls. large, deep rosy red; corolla heart - shaped; inner petals white, protruding. Japan. Var. alba, Hort., the white-fld. form, has a weaker growth. The bleeding-heart is one of the best of flowering perennials. The bloom in spring and also the foliage are attractive. If given room and moisture, the plant will continue to be attractive as a foliage mass till late summer.
{{SCH}}
}}
It is a popular [[ornamental plant]] for flower gardens in temperate climates, and is also used in [[floristry]] as a cut flower{{wp}}. 

Contact with the plant can cause skin irritation from isoquinoline-like alkaloids, in some people.<ref>http://www.uvm.edu/~pass/perry/oh63harm.html</ref><ref name=Leikin2007>{{Citation | last1 = Leikin | first1 = Edited by Jerrold B. | last2 = Paloucek | first2 = Frank P. | year = 2007 | title = Poisoning and toxicology handbook | pages = 886 | isbn = 1420044796 | publisher = CRC | location = Boca Raton, Fla }}</ref>

==Cultivation==
It can be a full sun plant if in a cool area but in a warm climate, prefers semi-shaded areas. It needs to be kept moist and prefers neutral to alkaline soil with good drainage although these plants can tolerate heavy clay soil as well{{wp}}.

Easily grown in a rich light soil{{pfaf1}}. Grows best in a light but good woodland soil, preferably not limy{{pfaf208}}. Prefers light shade and some shelter from winds{{pfaf175}}. 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{{pfaf200}}. A very ornamental plant{{pfaf1}}, it is hardy to at least -20°c{{pfaf187}}. The seed is difficult to harvest, it ripens and is shed very quickly{{pfaf134}}. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer{{pfaf233}}.

===Propagation===
Propagation is by sowing the [[seed]]s before they dry out. It can also be divided, preferably in the late fall or early spring.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame{{pfaf134}}. Stored seed should be sown in early spring{{pfaf175}}. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c{{pfaf175}}. Two weeks warm stratification at 18°c followed by six weeks at 2°c can shorten up the germination time{{pfaf134}}. 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{{pfaf200}}. Care must be taken since the plant strongly resents root disturbance{{pfaf200}}. Division is best carried out in late winter{{pfaf188}}. 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{{pfaf200}}.

===Pests and diseases===
[[Aphids]], slugs and [[snail]]s sometimes feed on this species, which causes damage to the leaves{{wp}}.

==Varieties==
Several [[cultivar]]s have been selected, including 'Alba', with pure white flowers, and 'Goldheart', a relatively new cultivar developed at [[Hadspen Garden]] in [[England]] and introduced in 1997 with fuchsia-coloured flowers that drop from the stem in a row, and yellow foliage that turns lime green by mid summer{{wp}}.

==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->

<gallery>
Image:Bleeding_hearts_large.jpg|The cultivar 'Alba' has pure white flowers
Image:Tränendes_Herz_(Dicentra_spectabilis).jpg|blossoms of ''Dicentra spectabilis''
Image:GoldenDicentra.jpg|''Dicentra spectabilis'' 'Gold Heart'
Image:Natural Love.jpg|''Dicentra spectabilis'' 'White flower'
</gallery>

==References==
*http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Dicentra+spectabilis
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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