Bleeding heart is native to Asia and North America and is also called Dicentra.

 

The plant takes 2 years to mature and grows to an average of 2 to 3 feet long.

 

Bleeding heart has a number of varieties, including some with all white flowers to an almost ever-blooming type that looks similar to wild bleeding heart. Bleeding hearts die back after blooming. They have heart-shaped pendant pink or white flowers with spurs at the base and fernlike attractive foliage. Their 1 inch, heart-shaped flowers have rose pink, red or white outer petals with strongly refluxed tips, and the inner petals are white and exerted. Dicentra spectabilis is the showiest, but its flowers finish in spring and its foliage disappears in midsummer.

 

Bleeding heart is planted in shade with humus rich, moist soil. It is grown in partial shady areas. Plants produce feathery foliage and arching stems covered with flowers from May to June. Bleeding Heart has a summer resting period and by late summer, the stems die back, often disappearing entirely by August. By that time, the large fleshy roots have stored lots of food and are preparing for the onset of cool temperatures. To maximize growth, begin a fertilization program three weeks after planting.

 

It does not have any serious insect or disease problems. Organic matter in the soil will supply all the protection the roots need. Foliage dies down in the fall. It has some susceptibility to aphid infestations. Occasionally stem rot appears but this can be prevented by planting in clean soil. 

 

It is an excellent addition to any garden. Hearts are excellent perennial for the shade garden and they are very attractive with their light transparent green color, deeply divided and fern like foliage. The Bleeding Heart is fine for the border or margins of shrubbery.

 

Did you know?

·        The name ‘Bleeding Heart’ comes from the appearance of the pink flower, which resembles the shape of a heart with a drop of blood descending.

·        D. spectabilis, (common bleeding heart) is readily available from commercial propagators as a bare-root division or potted perennial.