It is no wonder how the old-fashioned common bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis; formerly referred to as Dicentra spectabilis) got its name. The pillow-like flower is heart-shaped with one dangling pendulous drop. additionally to the common L. spectabalis bleeding heart, there also are a couple of other species within the Dicentra genus that pass the name bleeding heart, though these are mostly wildflowers that aren’t commonly grown in cultivation.

Bleeding hearts are shade-loving woodland plants that bloom within the cool of spring. Although they stay in bloom for several weeks, the plants often become ephemeral, disappearing for the remainder of the summer if exposed to an excessive amount of sun or heat. The roots are still alive, though, and therefore the plant will regrow within the fall or the subsequent spring. The fringed-leaf sorts of bleeding heart repeat-bloom throughout the summer.

Starting cuttings or new plants is best wiped out spring to early summer; ranging from seeds within the garden is best wiped out fall. These plants also will self-seed if the flowers aren’t deadheaded. Bleeding heart features a medium rate of growth and reaches its mature size in about 60 days.

Bleeding Heart Care

In a typical season, a bleeding heart plant produces about 20 small flowers on each of its stems in spring. Its foliage usually enters dormancy within the midsummer heat. This sensitivity to heat makes establishing new plants tougher in warmer zones than in colder areas. additionally, the flowers are delicate and will be shielded from strong winds.

Bleeding hearts usually bloom about an equivalent time as pulmonaria, brunnera, and hellebores, all of which contribute to an exquisite woodland cottage effect. Bleeding hearts will stay in bloom for several weeks, but the foliage tends to travel downhill after flowering. decide to have late-emerging plants nearby to fill within the hole if your bleeding hearts go dormant and disappear. Coral bells, ferns, foam flower, hosta, and monkshood are good companions.

Bleeding heart is fairly trouble-free, although common garden problems like aphids and mildew are occasional problems. The leaves are vulnerable to leaf spots, and therefore the easiest solution is to shear back the affected foliage. Although bleeding hearts like moist soil, they can’t tolerate heavy, wet soil and should get plant disease if left with wet feet too long.

Light

The bleeding heart does best partially shade. Since it’s such an early bloomer, planting near a deciduous tree may be a great place. The plant is going to be up and growing before the tree leaves out, and when the bleeding heart needs protection from the summer sun, the tree will provide it.

Soil

Bleeding heart prefers humus-rich, moist soil, with much organic matter, but it’s not too particular about soil pH. It prefers rather acidic soil but will do fine in neutral soils. Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, over the prevailing soil. Work it in to enhance aeration and make a loose soil that permits the roots to grow.

Water

Keep plants well-watered throughout the summer, especially in warmer weather. Even then, they’ll disappear until the autumn or next spring. If you latterly planted your bleeding hearts, it might be knowing mark the spot, so you are doing not accidentally dig within the area while your plants are dormant. Western bleeding heart maybe a little more drought-tolerant than the opposite species, but it’s still best to treat all of them as woodland plants and supply a moist—but the not wet—environment.

Temperature and Humidity

A bleeding heart plant begins to yellow once the summer heat ramps up. this is often perfectly normal, because it may be a sign that it’s storing away energy for the winter. Its ideal temperature is 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. it’s an honest tolerance for top humidity.

Fertilizer

Bleeding heart plants aren’t heavy feeders, so when to fertilize depends on the standard of your soil. If you’ve got rich, organic soil that’s amended per annum, you’ll not need to feed in the least. Bleeding hearts are woodland plants and do especially well with fertilization of leaf mold.

Is Bleeding Heart Toxic?

Bleeding heart plants contain isoquinoline alkaloids that are toxic to humans and animals. Serious cases of poisoning are common in dogs and horses, but much less common in humans.

Symptoms of Poisoning

The toxins in the bleeding heart can cause liver damage and seizures in humans when ingested in large quantities. Small dogs are especially likely to suffer liver damage with relatively limited exposure. Horses that graze on the plant have also been known to be poisoned. Humans shouldn’t eat any part of the plant and may experience mild skin irritation or rash from contact.

Varieties of Bleeding Heart

There are a variety of cultivars of the Lamprocapnos spectabilis species plant also as some popular related species with similar growing characteristics.

• Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’: this is often a long-time gardeners’ favorite with pure white flowers.
• L. spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’: This variety has pink flowers and yellow-gold foliage.
• L. spectabilis ‘Valentine’: This cultivar has bright cherry-red blooms with white tips. The stems are burgundy.
• Dicentra eximia, fringed-leaf bleeding heart: This American native has delicate ferny foliage which will repeat-bloom throughout summer. ‘Zestful’ is an especially popular cultivar with pink flowers.
• D. formosa, Western fringed-leaf bleeding heart: This Pacific Northwest native is more drought-tolerant than D. eximia and with showier flowers.
• D. cucullaria, Dutchman’s breeches: This species is extremely almost like bleeding heart, with flowers that appear as if little white pantaloons

Pruning Bleeding Heart

No pruning or deadheading is required, since this plant will bloom again later in the season. Be sure to leave the flowers if you want them to go to seed. You can trim back the foliage when it starts to turn ugly. Fringed-leaf varieties will eventually get a little ragged looking and can be sheared back to their basal growth; they will re-leaf and rebloom.

Propagating Bleeding Heart

1. Starting seeds indoors: Place seeds during a pot of soil. Put the pot during a bag and place within the freezer for six to eight weeks. Remove the pot and permit them to germinate and grow into regular seedlings conditions. Plants can also self-seed within the garden, though to not the purpose of being a nuisance. the small seedlings are often carefully dug up and transplanted.
2. Division: it’s very easy to divide the basis clumps of bleeding heart plants. this could be done after flowering is complete so you are doing not sacrifice bloom. The fringed-leaf varieties divide nicely early in spring, as they’re emerging.

A bleeding heart is generally planted initially from nursery seedlings, but it is often propagated from seeds, clump division, or stem cuttings

Direct seed or cuttings: Bleeding heart also can be started by stem cuttings rooted during a growing medium.