Are bleeding hearts deer resistant?
Where do they grow best?
Learn the answer to these questions and more with our handy guide on growing bleeding heart.
Peter Krumhardt.
A classic cottage garden staple, bleeding heart has long been a favorite inperennial shade gardens.
The roughly 20 species in theDicentragenus are native to Asia and North America.
The most popular known bang out is undoubtedly the old-fashioned bleeding heart,D.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
spectabilis, which is native to native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan.
The plant is easy to grow and quick to pop upalongside spring bulbs, swiftly growing to full size.
But where exactly should you grow these flowers?
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Are bleeding hearts deer resistant?
Do they have pest problems?
Learn the answer to these questions and more with our guide to growing these gorgeous flowers.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
All bleeding heart plants are toxic to humans and pets.
In damp, cool areas, it tolerates some full sun.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the container plant.
Credit: Randall Schieber
If the soil is not fertile and well-draining, amend it with organic matter before planting.
Backfill with soil and water the plant.
Before planting a bare root bleeding heart, soak the roots for an hour to rehydrate them.
Credit: Matthew Benson Photography
Dig a hole in well-draining soil (amended if needed) at least 1 foot wide and deep.
Shape a cone of soil in the middle to position the plant at the correct height.
Fill the hole with the remaining garden soil and water the plant.
Credit: Kevin Miyazaki Photography
Bleeding Heart Care Tips
Light
Bleeding heart thrives in areas with light tofull shade.
Flowering is best when the plant receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
If the soil has poor drainage, add compost.
Credit: Mike Jensen
Water bleeding heart plants weekly with 1 inch of water.
Temperature and Humidity
Bleeding heart plants grow best in temperatures between 55F and 75F.
If the temperature goes higher than that, increase the watering frequency.
Credit: Julie Maris Semarco
venture to maintain humidity at 60 percent or higher year-round.
If the soil is poor, apply anall-purpose, slow-release fertilizerin the spring, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Include some perlite for good drainage.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Keep the potting mix moist but not wet.
Keep in mind that potted plants need more water and fertilizer during the growing season than in-ground plants.
Despite the plants winter-hardiness, the roots are insufficiently insulated in pots.
Credit: David McDonald
Repot the plant to a larger pot with fresh potting soil when the roots start to outgrow the container.
These plants are known to be deer-resistant.
Deer won’t eat them unless there is nothing else to eat.
They are also squirrel-resistant and are seldom bothered by rabbits.
How to Propagate Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart is best propagated by division or from root cuttings.
To divide it, dig up the plant.
Replant each division in loose garden soil or a container at the same depth as the original plant.
To take a root cutting, water the plant well the night before.
Lift it from the soil carefully, looking for a thick, healthy-looking root.
Lay the cutting on moist horticultural sand and cover it with an inch of the sand.
Keep it moist and in low light.
Sprouting occurs in about three weeks.
Types of Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart is anephemeral plantonce summer comes along, it goes dormant.
So don’t panic if your plant dies back rather quickly after it bloomsit’s just taking a nap.
‘Gold Heart’ Bleeding Heart
Dicentra spectabilis’Gold Heart' offers a dramatic color combination.
It pairs chartreuse foliage with pink blooms to stunning effect.
Coming in a little smaller than the bleeding hearts, this variationdoes well in shady gardens.
Fringed Bleeding Heart
This eastern United States native comes from a shady woodland environment.
Fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia) comes up in spring and blooms right away.
The pink flowers aren’t as obviously heart-shaped, but they are no less beautiful.
The foliage on the fringed bleeding heart is smaller and finer than that of the old-fashioned bleeding heart.
The blue-green leaves are deeply cut.
It goes dormant inhot, dry weatherbut won’t go dormant when adequately watered.
Its flowers are extremely similar to the fringed bleeding heart, but the foliage is slightly more fernlike.
‘Langtrees’ Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa’Langtrees' is a white form with ferny blue-green leaves.
Like fringed bleeding heart, it blooms nearly continuously if weather conditions remain cool.
The variations are virtually endless.
This tough, shade-lovingperennial bloomswith white orpurplish lavenderfunnel-shaped or flared flowers in summer.
Variegated forms need more shade; in full sun, they’re likely to scorch.
It is sometimes called Siberian bugloss.
The plants prefer high-humus soil that retains moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
The plant lives about three or four years.
Yes, hummingbirds are attracted to the fragrant, heart-shaped flowers.
Bleeding hearts will also attract other pollinators, like bees and butterflies, to your garden.
This could be sparked by overwatering.
verify to only water twice a week, at most, in summer and even less in winter.
Yes, some species can self-sow.
However, this plant is not considered invasive in any region.
