Bleeding Heart Care
Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis)
A plant native to cool, humid, shady forests. It is very difficult to grow in Manisa's hot, dry climate; it goes completely dormant in the summer heat and its roots struggle to survive.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- General care: The root (rhizome) section is dormant; staying too wet in winter can cause rot, so excellent drainage is essential.
- Pests & diseases: Root rot is the main risk.
- Frost risk: It is cold hardy.
- General care: At the end of the month, signs of waking may appear; clear the surrounding area and spread a thin layer of compost over it.
- Pests & diseases: Protect the newly emerging shoots from snails.
- Frost risk: New shoots may be damaged by frost.
- Watering: If the rains are insufficient, keep the soil moist.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- Plant protection: Aphids may be seen on the new leaves.
- General care: The period of rapid growth and flowering begins.
- Pests & diseases: Check for aphids and powdery mildew.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Fertilizing: Not necessary (if done in March).
- General care: Main flowering period; the plant should be in full shade or receive only morning sun.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Pests & diseases: Yellowing of the leaves is not a disease but a sign of dormancy.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The plant is fully dormant. To keep the roots cool, spread a thick layer of dry leaf or bark mulch over them.
- Pests & diseases: It is dormant.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Pests & diseases: There is no risk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Pests & diseases: There is no risk.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The most suitable season for planting new plants; prepare a site that is rich in organic matter, well-drained and shaded.
- Pests & diseases: Check the newly planted roots.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: Planting of seedlings can continue, allowing roots to establish before winter.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for root rot in newly planted plants.
- General care: The plant is dormant; add mulch (dry leaves) to protect the roots.
- General care: The plant is fully dormant; in winter wet conditions, root rot is the greatest risk.
- Frost risk: It is cold hardy.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
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