The bleeding heart in the profile

Plant profile

Systematics:

• Botanical name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis
• Order: Buttercups (Ranunculales)
• Family: Poppy Family (Papaveraceae)
• Subfamily: Fumarioideae
• Genus: Lamprocapnos
• Type: crying heart

Botanical:

• Growth: Overhanging, clump-forming perennial
• Height: 60-80 centimeters
• Main flowering time: April to June
• Blossom: Cone grapes
• Flower color: Pink, white, cherry red,
• Leaves: Feathery, lobed, juicy green

Special features:

The bleeding heart is a cold germ that you can propagate yourself using seeds. To do this, cut off the withered umbels and collect the seeds. If you sow these directly into the bed in autumn, germination will be triggered by the frost.

origin

The bleeding heart thrives wildly in light deciduous forests in China and Korea, where it can be found at altitudes of up to 2,400 meters.

Location and soil

The bleeding heart also prefers a secluded and sheltered place in the garden. The soil should be permeable and humus, but at the same time have good water storage capacity.

Watering and fertilizing

The heart flower only likes drought to a limited extent, so always keep the soil moderately moist. Additional watering is required on warm days. In this case, however, do not water too much at once, rather more often.

The bleeding heart is frugal and only needs a fertilizer with compost in spring, which you work well into the soil.

Frost protection and pruning

Leave the bleeding heart to its own devices, cutting back is not absolutely necessary. After the flowering period, the perennial retreats into the ground and the above-ground parts of the plant die off.

That Bleeding heart is completely hardy, only the shoot in spring is sensitive. If a late cold spell is announced, it is advisable to protect the foliage with a cover.

Diseases and pests

• If the forest plant is unfavorable or too dry, there is a risk of aphid infestation.
• Snails love the tender, young leaves.
• If the location is too wet, they often show up mildew or stem rot.
• Holes at the tips of the leaves do not indicate care errors. They come from earth bumblebees that nibble on the leaves to get the nectar.