The bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a vibrant, low-maintenance perennial plant. It’s known for its pink-and-white heart-shaped blooms. It’s a great choice for beginner gardeners because it’s easy to care for and adds color in the spring.
Bleeding hearts grow best in USDA zones 3 to 9 and like partial to full shade. They do well in well-draining, rich soil and need consistent moisture, especially when they’re new. With the right care, bleeding hearts can make any garden beautiful.
Key Takeaways
- Bleeding hearts are low-maintenance perennial plants that thrive in partial to full shade.
- They produce vibrant pink-and-white heart-shaped blooms in the spring.
- Bleeding hearts grow best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 and prefer well-draining, humus-rich soil.
- Proper watering, especially when newly planted, is essential for the health of bleeding heart plants.
- With the right care, bleeding hearts can be a beautiful and long-lasting addition to any garden.
What is a Bleeding Heart Plant?
The bleeding heart is a plant that belongs to the Papaveraceae family. Its scientific name is Lamprocapnos spectabilis, or Dicentra spectabilis before. It’s called a bleeding heart because of its pink blooms that look like hearts.
These blooms hang from long stems. Underneath each heart-shaped bloom is a white petal with a red streak. This looks like a teardrop.
Common Names and Botanical Classification
This plant is also known as Chinese Pants, Lady’s Locket, Lyre Flower, Our-Lady-in-a-Boat, and Tearing Hearts.
It’s part of the fumitory family (Fumariaceae). This family includes plants like Dutchman’s breeches and squirrel corn.
The bleeding heart comes from eastern Asia and can live in USDA Zones 2-8. It was first brought to England in 1810. Then, it was reintroduced in 1846 after a trip to the Far East. Now, it’s a favorite in many gardens for its beautiful spring flowers and lush foliage.
“Bleeding Hearts are prolific bloomers in the springtime garden.”
Bleeding Heart plants can grow quite big, up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The fringed and fern-leaf types are a bit smaller, about 12-18 inches high and 18 inches wide. The old-fashioned and ‘Gold Heart’ types can get 2 feet high and 30 inches wide.
Growing Conditions for Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding hearts are a lovely perennial that do well in partial to full shade. They love soil that drains well and is rich in humus. It should be a bit acidic to neutral, with a pH of 6 to 6.5. Make sure they get enough water, especially when they’re young.
Don’t plant bleeding hearts where the soil is soggy or waterlogged, as this can cause root rot.
They do best in temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In warmer places, they might sleep through the summer but will wake up again in spring.
Soil Requirements
Bleeding hearts need soil that’s rich in nutrients and drains well. Add organic stuff like compost or aged manure to your garden bed. This helps them get the nutrients and drainage they need to bloom well.
Light Needs
These plants love the shade but can handle some sun in cooler places. Try to put them where they get dappled sunlight or are shaded by trees during the hottest part of the day.
Temperature and Watering
- Bleeding hearts do well in temperatures between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Give your plants about 1 inch of water per week, especially when they’re young.
- Water them more often during hot, dry spells to keep them from going dormant.
By knowing what bleeding hearts need, you can make your garden perfect for them.
Grow A Bleeding Heart and Care
Planting bleeding hearts is easy. Dig a hole a bit bigger than the nursery pot. Put the plant in at the same depth. Then, water it well.
These plants need about 1 inch of water every week to do well. Bleeding hearts also do great in container gardening. Make sure your container is at least 12 inches wide and has good drainage.
Pruning is simple for bleeding hearts. Just cut off any dead or yellow leaves. Sometimes, pests like aphids and slugs can show up. Use insecticidal soap or your hands to get rid of them.
Other times, you might see diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot. Use a fungicide to fix these problems.
| Planting Bleeding Hearts | Caring for Bleeding Hearts |
|---|---|
| Dig a hole slightly larger than the nursery container and plant at the same depth. | Remove any dead or yellowing foliage through pruning. |
| Water deeply after planting. | Manage pests like aphids and slugs with insecticidal soap or hand removal. |
| Established plants need about 1 inch of water per week. | Treat fungal diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot with a fungicide. |
| Can be grown in container gardening with at least 12 inches of width and good drainage. |
Bleeding hearts are a beautiful addition to any garden. With the right planting and care, they can last for many years.
Propagating and Maintaining Bleeding Hearts
Growing a beautiful bleeding heart garden is an ongoing task. It needs some maintenance and propagation to keep your plants healthy for years.
Luckily, bleeding hearts are easy to spread through division, cuttings, or self-seeding. This way, you can make new plants to fill your garden.
The easiest way is division. After the plant stops flowering, I dig up the root ball and split it into sections.
Make sure each section has at least one growth bud. Then, replant the divisions and water them well. You can also propagate bleeding hearts with stem cuttings in spring or early summer.
Just take 3-5 inch cuttings, dip the ends in rooting hormone, and plant them in a growing medium. New plants will grow in 4-6 weeks.
If you’re patient, bleeding hearts might self-seed in your garden. This means you can get new plants for free.
When the foliage dies back in summer, cut it down to 1-2 inches and cover the roots with mulch for winter. With a bit of care and attention, your bleeding heart patch will grow and spread every year.
FAQ
What is a bleeding heart plant?
The bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a vibrant, low-maintenance perennial plant. It’s known for its pink-and-white heart-shaped blooms. It’s a popular choice for beginner gardeners because it’s easy to care for and adds a quick burst of color in the spring.
What are the common names and botanical classification of the bleeding heart?
The bleeding heart is also known as the common bleeding heart or fern-leaf bleeding heart. It’s a tuberous, herbaceous perennial plant in the Papaveraceae family. Its botanical name is Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly known as Dicentra spectabilis.
What are the ideal growing conditions for bleeding hearts?
Bleeding hearts do well in partial to full shade and prefer well-draining, rich soil that’s slightly acidic to neutral. The ideal pH range is 6 to 6.5. They need consistent moisture, especially when new, but avoid soggy or waterlogged soil to prevent root rot. The best temperature for them is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I plant and care for a bleeding heart?
To plant a bleeding heart, dig a hole slightly larger than the nursery container and plant it at the same depth. Water it well after planting. Established plants need about 1 inch of water per week.
Minimal pruning is needed; just remove dead or yellowing foliage. Pests like aphids and slugs might show up, but you can control them with insecticidal soap or by hand. Fungal diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot can be treated with a fungicide.
How can I propagate and maintain bleeding hearts?
You can propagate bleeding hearts through division, stem cuttings, or self-seeding. Division is the easiest method, done after flowering has ended. Carefully dig up the root ball and divide it, making sure each section has at least one growth bud.
Replant the divisions and water them well. When the plant goes dormant in summer, cut back the foliage to 1-2 inches and add a layer of mulch to protect the roots over winter.
