bleeding heart

This cottage and shade garden classic develops iconic, pink to white to bicolor heart shaped blooms dangling from leafless stems. Japanese Bleeding Heart, D. spectabilis, develops into a bushy, bold and attractive plant with tall, arching stems of hearts, but will yellow and go dormant in summer. The native, fernleaf variety, D. eximia, is a more petite plant, but is more sun tolerant and will continue to bloom into fall if kept moist. All bleeding hearts show good deer resistance and compliment most shade garden plants.

Plant in moist, nutrient rich soil amended with organic matter like Petitti Planting Mix. Water well after planting; maintain 1” of water, once a week the first year. Use Plant-tone and Iron-tone in spring or at planting; apply Osmocote in summer. Mulch 1-2” to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Divide in spring or fall.