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Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Asian Bleeding-heart · Bleeding Heart · Lady in a Bath

Family PapaveraceaeGenus Lamprocapnos

A row of pink heart-shaped lockets with white inner petals, hanging from an arching stem
FlowerRoozitaaCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1-3 ft30-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Korea, ManchuriaGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
3-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Deep shade; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The only species in its genus, still widely sold under its old name Dicentra spectabilis. Lamprocapnos spectabilis translates roughly as spectacular sparkling smoke. Wikipedia: Lamprocapnos
  • Other names include lyre flower and lady-in-a-bath. In China it is the purse peony, after the flowers' likeness to a traditional good-luck pouch. Wikipedia: Lamprocapnos

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 29, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 28, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 9 days.

28% germination in 3–9 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Dicentra p. 132Public domain
Show the original text
Dicentra (Fumariaceae). DS is either fatal or severely deleterious. J. Forrest reported that D. spectabilis germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40(1%)-70(28% in 3-9d, mainly on 3rd d) and 40(19%)-70(5%)-40(11%)-70. DS 6 m at 70 or 40 is completely fatal. As with the two other species the seed splits first .and radicle and cotyledon development follow a few weeks later. Germination was dramatically stimulated by GA- 3 at 70, however the seedlings were weak and died.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Dicentra p. 132. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    11 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

19% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Dicentra p. 132Public domain
Show the original text
Dicentra (Fumariaceae). DS is either fatal or severely deleterious. J. Forrest reported that D. spectabilis germ. best with fresh seed in 70-40(1%)-70(28% in 3-9d, mainly on 3rd d) and 40(19%)-70(5%)-40(11%)-70. DS 6 m at 70 or 40 is completely fatal. As with the two other species the seed splits first .and radicle and cotyledon development follow a few weeks later. Germination was dramatically stimulated by GA- 3 at 70, however the seedlings were weak and died.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Dicentra p. 132. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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