Cultivating Romance and Elegance in Your Garden
Dicentra spectabilis, famously known as the Bleeding Heart, is a perennial that has captured the imaginations of Canadian gardeners for generations as a truly rewarding plant to nurture, bringing a unique, old-world charm to shaded corners and woodland borders.
In this guide, we will explore how to grow a healthy bleeding heart plant, helping you create a garden sanctuary that delights the senses and stirs the soul.
All About Bleeding Hearts
Revered for its heart-shaped flowers as emblems of love and compassion, Dicentra spectabilis is native to regions of the far east, like China, Korea, and Japan. Bleeding Hearts were introduced to the gardens of England in the mid 1800s and eventually made their way to this continent with European settlers. Other Dicentra genus, like Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) and Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa), originate in North America.
With its gracefully arching stems adorned by dangling, delicate, heart-shaped spring blossoms, often pink with a teardrop of white, Bleeding Heart perennial flowers evokes a sense of nostalgia and wonder, making it a thoughtful addition to memorial gardens, cottage landscapes, or spaces dedicated to reflection and relaxation.
The lobed leaves of spectabilis are equally alluring, emerging in a lush, soft green hue that often take on a bluish tint, providing a beautiful backdrop for its vibrant flowers. The foliage creates a whimsical mound that remains attractive even after the flowers have faded.
Dicentra spectabilis can reach heights of 60-100cm (2-3 feet), which can serve as an excellent ground cover or focal point in shaded gardens, even after they have flowered. The striking combination of its cascading flowers and soft foliage makes it a favourite choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and English garden landscapes.
Bleeding Heart isn’t just loved for its striking appearance; it also has many characteristics that make it perfect for temperate gardens:
- Hardy in plant growing zones 3-9, the plant’s resilience and adaptability make it an excellent candidate for cooler growing regions, thriving in Canadian gardens from British Columbia to Newfoundland.
- Deer and rabbits tend to leave Bleeding Hearts alone.
- It’s a valuable source of nectar for early-season pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Dicentra Spectabilis Varieties
All varieties of Dicentra spectabilis are unique and alluring, so much so, that it can be challenging to decide which one to grow in your garden, making you wish you had space for them all!
- Dicentra ‘spectablis’, also known as ‘Common Bleeding Heart’, is the most well-known, classic variety with mid-pink blossoms flowering on arching stems above bluey-green lobed foliage.
- Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’ also sports mid-pink flowers, but its lobate foliage is chartreuse, which is spectacular at lighting up a shady garden spot thoughout its entire growth phase.
- Dicentra spectabilis ‘Valentine’ has become a favourite with red blossoms above green lobed foliage.
- Dicentra spectabilis ‘Cupid’ is the most recent addition to the Dicentra spectabilis family, with its baby-pink heart-shaped flowers above bluey-green foliage.
- Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ has completely white flowers and green foliage.
Where to Grow Bleeding Hearts
Native to woodlands in eastern Asia, Dicentra spectabilis naturally seeks out moist, dappled shade environments with rich, well-draining, evenly moist soil.
Partial shade with early morning sun is best for Bleeding Hearts and will encourage fuller growth and abundant blooms.
Bleeding Hearts also grow well in full shade, but their growth is slightly thinner.
In hotter climates or exposed locations, shelter the plant from harsh afternoon rays, which can scorch the delicate leaves.
Dicentra spectabilis thrives in humus-rich, well-drained soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0).
To recreate its woodland environment, dig in plenty of compost, or aged manure each spring. Avoid heavy, clay soils that hold too much water, as this can lead to root rot.
Dicentra spectabilis prefers consistently moist soil and is not tolerant of waterlogging. Mulching the soil with shredded bark or leaf litter helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool without suffocating them.
Related: Using Mulch for Perennial Plants
How to Plant Bleeding Hearts
Starting Bleeding Hearts in your garden can be accomplished with nursery plants or bare-root divisions. Follow our step-by-step guide for planting Bleeding Hearts!
1. Site Selection: Find a spot with dappled shade, such as beneath deciduous trees or along the northeast side of a building. It’s important to avoid areas with competition from aggressive tree roots, which may outcompete your Bleeding Heart for water and nutrients.
2. Soil Preparation: First, remove any rocks and weeds from your planting site. Then, prepare a planting hole that is twice the width and 15 cm (6 inches) deeper than the Bleeding Heart root ball. Work organic matter, like worm castings or compost, into the bottom 15 cm (6 inches) of the planting hole, ensuring the ground is loose and ready for the roots to grow unhindered.
Read more about site preparation in How to Prepare a Great Planting Hole.
3. Spacing: Mature Dicentra spectabilis plants reach heights and widths of 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) each, so allow new plants at least 60-90cm (2-3 feet) between each other to allow for good air circulation and future growth.
4. Planting Depth: Set crowns just below the soil surface, planting too deeply will suffocate the crown and planting too shallowly will cause it to dry out. Fill the hole midway, water and then water thoroughly once more after completely filling the hole.
5. Watering: Water newly planted Dicentra regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Shady areas lose moisture more slowly than sunny areas, so check the soil before watering.
6. Mulching: Surround the base of the newly planted perennial with a layer of mulch to reduce water evaporation, improve soil texture, and suppress weed growth.
Related: A Step by Step Guide to Successfully Moving and Planting Perennials
Care of Bleeding Hearts Throughout the Seasons
Once established, Bleeding Hearts are remarkably low-maintenance. However, a little attention will yield healthier growth and more spectacular blooms.
Watering Bleeding Heart perennials (Dicentra spectabilis)
Monitor newly planted Bleeding Hearts regularly for the first two years to ensure that they stay well hydrated with evenly moist soil.
Once mature, at about 3 years of age, Bleeding Hearts, like most perennials, become resilient and quite drought-tolerant during dry spells, particularly if they have been mulched. Monitor soil hydration of perennials of all ages when it is hot and dry and water as needed.
Mulch goes a long way to to reduce evaporation from the soil.
Pruning Bleeding Heart perennials (Dicentra spectabilis)
If you deadhead old flowers once they are done flowering, the Bleeding Heart may reflower. Trim off dead leaves to keep your garden tidy and let the plant enter dormancy undisturbed.
You may notice the plant’s foliage turning yellow and beginning to die back by mid to late summer. Don’t panic this is the normal rhythm of a Bleeding Heart.
Dividing Bleeding Heart perennials (Dicentra spectabilis)
When the clump looks overcrowded and begins to wane, it may need to be divided.Divide mature clumps during their dormant period, preferably in the fall to reduce plant stress and to facilitate a successful division.
Dividing Bleeding Heart perennials will rejuvenate growth and give more plants to share with friends or expand your garden.
Related: How to Divide Perennials Successfully
Perennial Companion Plants for Dicentra spectabilis and Planting Design Ideas
Dicentra spectabilis shines alongside shade-loving plants that complement its texture and colour, like:
- Hostas: Their bold leaves provide a dramatic backdrop for the delicate hearts of Dicentra.
- Ferns: Both native and ornamental ferns echo the feathery foliage of Bleeding Heart and create a lush woodland effect.
- Astilbes: These fluffy plumes add a splash of colour and thrive in similar conditions.
- Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal): Also a spring bloomer, Solomon’s Seal, with its delicate trumpet-shaped, pendant-like white flowers with green tips, below the oval leaves along its arching stems, complements the flowers and foliage of Dicentra spectabilis.
- Brunnera and Pulmonaria: Both feature textured, variegated leaves and cheery blue or pink flowers that mix beautifully with Bleeding Hearts.
- Consider planting Bleeding Heart along shaded pathways or beside garden benches for a delightful display from April to June.
Troubleshooting Bleeding Hearts
- While Dicentra spectabilis is generally trouble-free, a few challenges may arise:
- Pests: Aphids can sometimes cluster on young shoots, and slugs may nibble on new growth. Treat infestations promptly by removing them or with insecticidal soap or eco-friendly slug traps.
- Disease: Root rot may occur in poorly drained soils. If leaves wilt suddenly, check for soggy conditions and adjust drainage.
- Winter Care: Once the first frost hits, cut back stems to ground level and apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate roots. This is especially important in regions with prolonged freezes.
- Transplanting: Move plants only when dormant to reduce transplant shock. Water well after replanting and mulch generously.
- Summer Dormancy: Don’t be alarmed when foliage dies back after flowering. This is part of the plant’s natural cycle, allowing it to conserve energy for the following spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bleeding Hearts
1. Can Bleeding Hearts grow in the sun?
While they enjoy early morning sun, intense midday or afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and reduce flowering. Dappled shade is ideal.
However, some gardeners have great success with their Bleeding Hearts grown in full sun.
2. Are Bleeding Hearts safe for pets?
Dicentra spectabilis is mildly toxic if ingested, but its pungent odor is so unappealing to animals that deer and rabbits avoid it. To be safe, keep pets and small children from chewing on foliage or roots.
3. How long will Bleeding Hearts bloom?
Depending on weather and site, blooms may last 4–6 weeks in spring. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new buds. Bleeding Heart is one of the first perennials to go into dormancy in mid-summer. If this happens, don’t be distressed; it’s part of their normal life cycle.
Bleeding Hearts are A Northern Garden Classic
Growing Dicentra spectabilis is a JoY for gardeners of all experience levels. Invite Bleeding Heart into your garden not only for its beauty, but for the sense of history and romance it imparts—connecting you to generations of gardeners who have treasured its presence.
So gather your tools, choose a cozy, shaded spot, and begin your own journey with Dicentra spectabilis.
Your garden will thank you with every spring’s display of hearts in bloom.
Looking for more gardening tips for planting perennials? Check out our other perennial plant articles or send in a question today to learn more about making your garden thrive this year with Gardening with Sharon!
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- How to Deadhead Hostas
- Understanding Perennial Seasons of Bloom
- 7+ Simple and Effective Ways to Get Rid of Slugs
© Sharon Wallish Murphy © Gardening with Sharon
