Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem.

Fully hardy, clump-forming perennial with thick, fleshy roots, leaves up to 40cm long, composed of three, often deeply cut, leaflets, and arching, fleshy stems producing racemes of flowers, 2-3cm long, with rose-pink outer petals and white inner, in spring and summer.  To 1.2m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

According to Don it has been cultivated in Europe since 1816.  Johnson’s Dictionary gives a date of 1810, but goes on: ‘Dielytra spectabilis is the most brilliant hardy plant added to our collections for many years.  This most beautiful plant was described by Linnaeus from dried specimens, but was not seen alive by any European until Mr. Fortune found it in gardens in the north of China, and sent it, in 1846, to the London Horticultural Society.’  It is described as purple flowering.  It seems possible that there is some confusion in these descriptions between D. spectabilis and D. tenuifolia (fine-leaved), described as pink-flowered. ‘Of this truly fine and hardy herbaceous plant, there seems no reason whatever for constituting a new genus, as Professors Martius and Zuccarini have done.  Both in habit and structural character it is entirely a Dielytra, DC.  The flowers are the largest of the genus, and the leaves and leaflets the broadest, and so much resemble those of the Paeonia Moutan that, as Mr. Fortune assures us, the Chinese give the plant the name of the “Red-and-white Moutan-flower.”  We learn from the same intelligent traveller, that it is one of the plants of which the Chinese Mandarins are so fond, and that they cultivate with so much pride in all their gardens.  He first saw it in the artificial rocks in the Grotto-garden, Island of Chusan, growing along with the equally beautiful Weigelia rosea.  It appears to have been known only in northern China or the borders of Tartary and China, and not to be a denizen of any part of the Russian Empire; for it is not included in Ledebour’s Flora Rossica. […] This handsome flowering herbaceous plant, has a fascicle of thick fleshy roots that lie dormant during winter, and push into growth early in the spring.  We have not had it long enough under cultivation to enable us to say whether it will prove hardy in our climate; but as it is from the north of China we anticipate it will, especially if covered over with a layer of old tan, or some such loose material during our severe frosts.  Its early habit may probably render it liable to be hurt by late spring frosts, but as it makes a pretty appearance in a pot, it will prove a desirable plant for the greenhouse.  It thrives m any good garden-soil, and when it has done flowering it should be placed out of doors.  After the decay of the flowering stems it may be kept in a frame during winter, giving it only water sufficient to keep the mould moderately moist.  It is propagated by division of the root or by cuttings.’  [BM t.4458/1849].  FS pl.VI 8e Liv./1847.  FC p.97/1853.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.384/1850].  One of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson in late 1849 or early 1850, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying Captain P. P. King.  The source is unclear.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes

Published Mar 12, 2009 - 05:06 PM | Last updated Mar 08, 2010 - 11:00 AM

Shown are the deeply cut leaves and upright spike of pendant pink flowers.  Curtis's botanical Magazine t.4458, 1849.

Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem. | BM t.4458/1849 | BHL

Family Papaveraceae
Category
Region of origin

Siberia, China, Korea

Synonyms
  • Dielytra spectabilis D.Don
  • Fumaria spectabilis L.
Common Name

Chinaman’s breeches, Bleeding heart, Lyre flower

Name in the Camden Park Record

Dielytra spectabilis 

Confidence level high