Plant Profile: Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

The beautiful pink hearts dangling from arching stems is one of the most beautiful sights in the spring garden and the dissected blue gray foliage, adds a lovely texture to a shade garden.

Type: Herbaceous perennial.

Bloom: Pink heart shaped flowers accented with white inner petals; all white (alba); in spring.

Size: 3’ x3’.

Light: Full to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, well drained, rich in organic matter; pH 6.5-7 neutral to slightly acid.

Hardiness:  Zones 3-8.

Care: Mulch plants with 1” of compost to protect from summer heat and drying out being careful to keep the mulch away from the crowns. Trim dead foliage when the plant goes into dormancy.

Pests and Diseases: Rot if crown is covered by mulch.

Propagation: Division of roots in autumn or early spring but established plants do not like to be disturbed.

Companion plants: Ajuga, bergenia, Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’,ferns, hosta, Solomon’s Seal, Tiarella.

Comments: White flowered varieties are slightly less vigorous than pinks. The foliage dies back when temperatures rise as the plant goes into dormancy. Stems of Bleeding heart may be used successfully in flower arrangements.