The primary difference lies in their botanical classification and geographic origin. The Native Bleeding Heart, Dicentra formosa, is a perennial species indigenous to the moist, shady forests of the Pacific Northwest of North America. In contrast, the Common Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis), is a species native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan. This distinction in origin is fundamental, as it dictates their adaptations to climate, soil, and ecological interactions.
The two varieties exhibit clear differences in their physical structure. The Common Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is generally larger and more showy. It features arching stems from which rows of classic, heart-shaped pink flowers with white dangling tips hang. Its foliage is a soft green and is more dissected and fern-like. The Native Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) is a more diminutive and spreading plant. Its flowers are smaller, less perfectly heart-shaped, and often a deeper pink or reddish-purple, and they appear in clusters above the foliage. The leaves of D. formosa are also blue-green to gray-green in color and are more finely divided, giving them a lacy appearance.
Their growth patterns and lifecycles are notably different. Lamprocapnos spectabilis grows from a brittle, fleshy rhizome into a mound-like clump. It has a specific growth rhythm: it emerges vigorously in spring, blooms spectacularly, and often goes completely dormant and disappears by mid-summer, especially in warmer climates, to escape the heat. Dicentra formosa, however, grows from a spreading network of underground runners and forms a wider ground cover. It typically begins flowering slightly later than its common cousin and will often continue to produce sporadic blooms throughout the summer if conditions are cool and moist. Its foliage usually persists longer and does not go fully dormant as early.
While both prefer moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, their tolerances differ due to their origins. The Common Bleeding Heart is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it exceptionally cold-tolerant but less resilient to high heat. The Native Bleeding Heart is best suited to zones 4-8 and, being from the maritime Pacific Northwest, is better adapted to consistent moisture and milder summer temperatures. It is generally more tolerant of dry shade once established than L. spectabilis, which will quickly wilt without adequate water.
From an ecological perspective, Dicentra formosa plays a role in its native habitat as a food source for native bumblebees and other pollinators. It is an excellent choice for native plant gardens, woodland restoration, and naturalized areas where it can spread freely. Lamprocapnos spectabilis, as a non-native ornamental, is primarily valued for its high visual impact in traditional shade gardens and borders. Its dramatic but ephemeral presence makes it a classic spring focal point, often planted alongside hostas and ferns that will fill the space once it retreats underground.
