Dicentra spectabilis
Bleeding Heart
A favorite perennial in Grandmothers garden and still a favorite today is the Bleeding Heart. This very hardy perennial is an early blooming, feathery foliage plant that will thrive in sun or part shade. It really prefers afternoon shade though, as our very hot humid summers in the Midwest will cause it to go dormant early. It works well with ferns, which will hide the foliage going dormant when the weather really gets hot. It is hardy in zones 1-9, and will reach 2-4' in height with a spread of 18-24". Pink heart shaped flowers in abundance form along arching stems in late spring to early summer.
Best soil composition is moist, fertile, well drained, and humus rich. Fertilize in spring with organic fertilizer like compost or aged manure. If you need to move or divide this plant, it's best to do it in early spring when it just begins to emerge from the ground.
This perennial is also available in white blooming hearts ( alba), as well as the newest red variety called Burning Hearts, both varieties of which we carry. The King of Hearts variety has pink hearts, but the foliage is much lacier looking than the spectabilis types.
By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
Best soil composition is moist, fertile, well drained, and humus rich. Fertilize in spring with organic fertilizer like compost or aged manure. If you need to move or divide this plant, it's best to do it in early spring when it just begins to emerge from the ground.
This perennial is also available in white blooming hearts ( alba), as well as the newest red variety called Burning Hearts, both varieties of which we carry. The King of Hearts variety has pink hearts, but the foliage is much lacier looking than the spectabilis types.
By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
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