Use with caution
Bleeding heart contains isoquinoline alkaloids and is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten, causing drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in large amounts tremors or seizures; the roots are the most concentrated. The sap can also irritate sensitive skin, so wear gloves when handling it, and keep pets from digging the roots.
Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Valentine'
flowerValentine is a striking modern bleeding heart, an old-fashioned cottage favorite reborn in richer color. Where the classic old bleeding heart hangs rosy-pink lockets, Valentine drips brilliant cherry-red, heart-shaped flowers with white tips along arching stems, and the flower stems themselves are a deep wine-red, on a more compact and upright 2 to 3 foot plant. It blooms in mid to late spring over soft blue-green, ferny foliage, then like all bleeding hearts goes dormant and disappears by midsummer, especially in heat. A treasure for the shaded border and woodland garden, it is best tucked among hostas, ferns, and later perennials that fill the gap it leaves behind.
Sun
partial shade
Water
Every 6 days
Bloom
~40 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
18-24 in. apart
Planting Depth
Set the crown about 1 in. below the soil surface
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
Soil Type
Rich, humusy, moist, well-drained (neutral to alkaline)
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
When to Fertilize
Lightly in early spring as growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
Grow bleeding heart in partial to full shade - morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, and it tolerates more sun only in cool, reliably moist climates - in rich, humusy, moist but well-drained soil of neutral to slightly alkaline pH. The key is even moisture in spring with good drainage; it dislikes both soggy winter soil and bone-dry summer soil, though once it goes dormant the dry spell does no harm. It is hardy in zones 3 to 9 and long-lived, needing little care. Do not cut the foliage while it is green; let it yellow and die back naturally to feed the roots, and mark the spot so you do not dig into the dormant crown later. Plant it among hostas and ferns that expand to cover the void when it fades.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first bloom
May 25
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cluster on tender stems and buds - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs
Chew the soft spring foliage in damp shade - hand-pick at night and clear debris around the crown
Like slugs, they rasp holes in leaves - trap or hand-pick and avoid heavy mulch right at the crown
Occasional bumps on stems - prune out heavily infested growth; rarely a serious problem
Bleeding heart makes a charming, if short-lived, cut flower - snip the arching stems in the cool morning when several hearts have opened along them for a delicate woodland arrangement. In the garden the main rule is patience with the dying foliage: never cut it back while green, since the ripening leaves recharge the roots for next year, and simply let it fade away by midsummer. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, as the sap can irritate.
An ornamental shade perennial grown for its dangling spring hearts. The early flowers offer some nectar to bees and the occasional hummingbird, but it is grown purely for its woodland charm. Toxic to pets if eaten.
Bleeding heart contains isoquinoline alkaloids and is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten, causing drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in large amounts tremors or seizures; the roots are the most concentrated. The sap can also irritate sensitive skin, so wear gloves when handling it, and keep pets from digging the roots.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.