Perennial and resistant, the bleeding hearts are plants colorful and easy to grow. Yours flowers are instantly recognizable and appear in the form of beautiful heart-shaped medallions.

They exist several groups of bleeding hearts (also known as dicentra) available. The most common group are wildflowers native to North America: dwarf and shade-loving. These usually have delicate, silver-green or blue-green foliage and flowers in shades of red or pink and white. A group of similar varieties is more sun-loving.

A small third group is taller and more elegant, with more dramatic foliage. Meanwhile, a rarely seen fourth group has yellow flowers. If you are thinking of eye-catching ideas for flower beds, bleeding hearts are ideal. They form slowly spreading mounds and work well among shady bushes and flowerbeds.

While many bleeding hearts make effective cover for the ground in the shade, they tend to fade and die after flowering – especially in areas with hot summers. Neighboring plants often spill over into your space during the summer.

Learn all about this wonderful species below:

What types of bleeding hearts are there?

There are four main types of bleeding hearts. most are wild flowers native to North America that are ideal for shade, where their beautifully divided foliage perfectly highlights red, pink or white medallions.

Some bleeding hearts remain compact, forming clumps that constantly spread out. Others spread more quickly and make good ground cover to suppress weeds without ever becoming invasive. These are all varieties of eximia dicentra, the fringed bleeding-heart, of the eastern states; and Dicentra formosa, the western bleeding-heart. They are often sold bare root or in flower pots. Popular varieties include “Luxuriant” and “Langtrees”.

There is a growing group that look alike, but prefer more sun. They will work fine with sunny pergolas or as part of gardens with access to prolonged sun. Varieties include “King of Hearts” and “Fire Island”.

Another important but smaller group includes varieties that cause the tallest plants to develop a mass of longer, elegantly arching stems, from which the larger red, pink or white medallions sway in the breeze. these are the old fashioned bleeding hearts, some of which also have bright yellow foliage. Popular varieties include Dicentra spectabilis and “Alba”. Plants from this group are increasingly offered under the name “Lamprocapnos”.

There is also a fourth group of bleeding hearts climbers, which cling to their supports with tendrils. They have similarly shaped medallions but in shades of yellow. Dicentra scandens comes in here. Plants from this group are increasingly offered under the name “Dactylicapnos”.

Where should I plant?

Native bleeding hearts and their many varieties are best planted in half shade. In areas with cooler summers, they can be planted in full sun as long as they don’t dry out. Some newer varieties are more sun-loving, as mentioned above.

These plants prefer humus-rich soils, but they have shallow roots, so they do well in poor soil if the top layers are improved. One slightly acidic soil is your favorite: the ideal is that the pH is between 6.0-6.5, but most varieties are adaptable.

In small gardens, plant units of individual varieties – they will constantly spread. If more space is available, plant in groups of three or five. Remember that in regions with harsh summers, plants may die during the warmer months. Make sure there are perennials nearby to occupy the space during the period.

Climbing bleeding hearts are happy in good soil, which is neither dry nor soggy, but they like a mature bush or garden fence they can cling to. Likewise, pair with well-supported screens or trellis ideas and they will flourish.

Dicentra spectabilis and its varieties can take more sun and have much deeper rooting, preferring rich conditions and good drainage. These types of bleeding hearts die in the summer.

When is the best time to plant bleeding hearts?

One of the joys of knowing how to grow bleeding hearts is discovering how easy they are in terms of planting and establishing. Plants purchased in vases can be planted whenever the ground is not frozen. O fall is the best time as this gives the plants time to establish themselves before winter and they will begin to develop by the time spring flowering begins.

Spring is the next ideal time to plant dicentra. Bleeding hearts can be planted during growth and flowering, but pay attention much attention to watering until the plants are established. Knowing the best time to water the plants will help the plants get used to the space.

Some bleeding hearts, especially the Dicentra spectabilisare provided as bare root plants (this means they go dormant, with little soil around the roots). The thick, white, spiky roots are best planted in the fall. However, they can also be planted as soon as the ground thaws in spring.

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How to plant bleeding hearts?

All bleeding hearts will benefit from correcting the soil before planting. Bleeding hearts in vases also appreciate a bath with liquid fertilizers the day before planting.

The many varieties of native bleeding hearts prefer humus-rich soil, so start by improving the soil with compost. Deep preparation is unnecessary as the roots are relatively shallow.

Then just follow these simple steps:

For bleeding heart plants that are supplied in pots, plant with their crowns at or near ground level.

Small bare-root plants of Dicentra spectabilis and its varieties should be planted 2.5 cm below ground level, with larger plants 5 cm deep.

Water well with liquid fertilizer after planting. Make sure the plants never dry out in the first season unless they start to die in the summer.

How to take care of these plants?

For the most impressive bleeding hearts, make sure your dicentra doesn’t dry out during the first spring and early summer. In warm climates, native plants can go into a dormant period, but in autumn, especially with good rains, a second flowering period can occur. When plants start to look tired and dry, they can be cut with your best pruning shears and this dying part added to the garden compost.

You will find that mulching with weed-free garden compost or bagged soil amendment keeps the fresh, moist roots. Apply in autumn, as your bleeding hearts must be interplanted with spring bulbs. The fertilizer needs to be in place before the bulbs start to emerge. If the spring is exceptionally dry, the irrigation may be required.

How to make more bloody hearts?

All types of bleeding hearts except the vine types will produce some seeds after flowering. These fall around existing plants. Some can germinate and grow like self-seed seedlings, eventually maturing into flowering plants. These can be dug up when they start to grow in the spring and replanted where you prefer them to grow, or you can transplant seedlings to give to friends. However, they may not be identical to the varieties they came from.

Native plants can be dug up and divided for replanting anytime when the ground is free of frost in late winter and spring. The roots are fragile, so carefully separate and repot the most vigorous edge parts of the plants, discarding weaker growth in the center.

Old-fashioned bleeding hearts plants are best left to mature in specimen-sized clumps. However, if you want to try dividing them, dig them up in early spring. Use an old kitchen or bread knife to cut the woody crowns into smaller pieces and replant immediately.

What problems affect bleeding hearts?

If you want to stay up to date on potential issues with your bleeding hearts, the good news is that there aren’t many issues to worry about. Just be aware of the following and act accordingly:

Slugs and snails can be a nuisance, but knowing how to get rid of slugs can be done creatively and organically. If they cause repeated problems, avoid using bark covers where they like to hide.

Make sure not to cover the crowns of the plants, as this can cause decay. Poor drainage can also be a problem, and soggy soil is a killer. The soil needs to be moist but well drained.

Insects are rarely a problem, although the aphids can attack bleeding hearts the old-fashioned way. You can use an organic pest spray, but these plants can tolerate a minor infestation.

Don’t panic if your dicentrate looks like it’s dying in the fall: it’s probably going through its natural cycle. The stems and leaves naturally die in the fall. In climates with hot summers, they may die sooner.

If the leaves on your bleeding hearts turn yellow, don’t worry. Two varieties – red-flowered “Gold Heart” and white-flowered “White Gold” – were bred to grow yellow leaves. Other varieties whose leaves turn yellow only need watering or they die naturally.

Can bleeding hearts survive the frost?

Most bleeding hearts plants are frost resistant. Only in areas with very cold winters is there a risk that the crown or roots will be damaged. Know how to protect plants from Frost makes them less likely to fall. If the plants have started to grow and frost threatens, cover them with wool or an old sheet to provide protection.

Dicentra spectabilis varieties have new spring growth that is very tender and juicy, and a light spring frost can kill them. However, new shoots soon emerge from the crown of the plant, and in a few weeks the damage will go unnoticed. Native and groundcover varieties are less likely to suffer damage from spring frost; if caught, they soon recover.

Are bleeding hearts toxic?

All parts of dicentra plants contain chemicals that are toxic…