Planting, Growing, and Caring for Bleeding Hearts
The old-fashioned “bleeding heart” flower has long been a favorite perennial of the shady flower garden. This hardy plant blooms prolifically in early spring and finishes its growing cycle when warm weather sets in. Learn when to plant bleeding heart, how to care for it, and other tips in our growing guide.
About Bleeding Heart Flower
Once called the finest hardy plant of the 19th century, bleeding hearts soon became as “common as a wallpaper pattern.” Today, this perennial is in favor because it is easy to grow, and nothing surpasses its attention-getting form: graceful arching, 3-foot stems adorned with dangling pink, red, or white flower hearts. The hearts appear to be dripping (hence its most common name).
Blooming in the spring, bleeding heart will grow up to 2 feet high and up to 30 inches wide. It finishes its growing cycle when warm weather sets in. The flowers fade, the leaves die back, and the plant goes dormant in late spring or early summer.
Bleeding Hearts are woodland plants, so they enjoy the partial shade of spring-flowering trees such as dogwoods and serviceberries. They won’t flower in deep shade. Near the house, mix with hostas and lamium for texture.
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Planting
Bleeding heart is hardy in Zones 2 to 9. Choose a site with part sun or light shade. The soil must be fertile like their woodland environment; add organic matter such as decayed leaves (leaf mold) or good compost. Ensure soil is well-draining but generally moist, never dried out.
When to Plant Bleeding Heart
- Plant tubers in spring after the threat of frost has passed or in the early fall. (See local frost dates.)
How to Plant Bleeding Heart
- Space old-fashioned bleeding hearts about 24 inches apart.
- Loosen the soil to 1 foot deep, mix in organic matter, and plant tubers about an inch below the surface; backfill and firm soil.
- Water to soak the soil after planting.
- Spread mulch (such as decayed leaves) around the plant to keep moisture in and weeds out.
Types
There are more than 20 species of Dicentra. Many new hybrids have been developed to increase heat tolerance and vigor.
- Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’: chartreuse foliage
- D. spectabilis ‘Alba’: white flowers
- D. spectabilis ‘Valentine’: white-tip cherry-red blooms on burgundy stems
- D. eximia ‘Zestful’: native to North America; “fringed” (fern-leaf) foliage, with pale pink flowers; 12-18 inches tall
- D. extimia ‘King of Hearts’: small, fern-leaf foliage, with rose-red flowers
- D. eximia ‘Aurora’: small, fern-leaf foliage, with white blooms
- D. cucullaria (aka “Dutchman breeches”): native to North America; fragrant, yellow-tip white flowers resembling pantaloons; 4 to 12 inches tall
Credit: Mike Truchon/Shutterstock
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Pests/Diseases
- Bleeding heart is resistant to deer and rabbits.
- Diseases: aster yellows; southern blight; fungal leaf spot; powdery mildew; Fusarium wilt; Verticillium wilt.
- Pest: aphids
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Comments
Bleeding heart blooms in very early spring, so you'll often find at nurseries or garden centers at that time of the year!