- Author: Jenni Dodini
Steve and I recently took a trip south to San Luis Obispo. While there, we decided to go over to Hearst Castle since our last visit was easily 20 years ago. Those of you who have been there know what I mean when I say that the place is AMAZING!!! For those who haven't, I highly recommend the trip. Anyway, as amazing as the "castle" is, the grounds are equally amazing. The hydrangeas were blooming all over the place and everywhere one looked, the grounds were well groomed. While I was checking out the Neptune Pool, I noticed a vine/hedge of bleeding heart. It was beautiful. I was jealous as I have killed a couple over the years. A blog idea was born.
Imagine my surprise when I went into my Western Garden Book and could not find it AT ALL! Off to the internet then. I clicked into garden.org, Wikipedia, and gardeningknowhow.com for information. What I found was that I had failed because Fairfield is just not the proper place for success. At least, not where I was trying to grow them.
The bleeding heart pictured below is Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly known as Dicentra spectabilis. It is of the order Ranunculalis, and a member of the poppy family, Papaveraceae. It is native to Siberia, northern China, Korea and Japan. It is classified as a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial. It thrives in moist woodland gardens along with ferns and other shade lovers. It likes light to medium shade and well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The flowers are delicate and heart shaped with a seed pod that emerges below. They bloom in the spring - yellow, pink, red, and white - and may re-bloom throughout the summer in cooler climates. They will need consistent watering in climates that receive less that 1 inch of rain per week. Depending on variety, they can grow 6 inches to 2 feet in height. They may die back and go dormant during the heat of summer and then regrow from the roots. After the first killing frost of winter, they can be trimmed back to 1 inch above the soil. They will regrow from the roots in the spring. They grow in compact clumps for many years and do not need dividing. The roots are brittle and easily damaged. The seed pods must be sown while fresh. They like sustained release plant food worked into the soil every 2 months during the growing season and rich compost applied in the spring with a 2 inch layer of mulch over it. Aphids, snails, and slugs like to feed on the leaves. Of note, some people may experience skin irritation due to the isoquinoline like alkaloids the plant contains.
While clicking on the picture of the white flowered bleeding heart, I found that it is an entirely different plant. It is a Clerodendrum thomsoniae, AKA glory blower or tropical bleeding heart. It is NOT related to the Lamprocapnos. It is a native of western Africa and grows well in zones 9 and above. It needs to be protected though as it is damaged in temperatures below 45 degrees. It also likes light shade. It is a subtropical vine that produces tendrils that can be trained onto a trellis or let to spread out along the ground. The flowers are white with red seed pods, and the foliage is a shiny green. It also likes well drained soil which is consistently moist and sustained release feeding during the blooming season. They tolerate light pruning of wayward vines during the growing season and can be pruned back in winter before the spring growth emerges. It is susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites. Spraying with insecticidal soap every 7 to 10 days will eliminate them. By the way, I did find this one in the Sunset Western Garden Book.
After all this, I think if I might try again, I will go with the Clerodendrum and start in a shady place, in a large pot, or in the ground in well amended soil.