A pH of 6.0-7.0 is ideal, as soil that is too alkaline can cause yellowing foliage. It grows best in well-draining soil that’s moist and rich in organic matter, such as leaf mold or compost.Īvoid planting in areas where the soil is prone to drying out. It’s a remarkably easy shade ornamental to grow.Īpart from a few minor pests to contend with, it’s hardy and requires a modicum of care and attention after planting. This will sound ridiculously simple, but that’s one of the beautiful traits of L.
You can also obtain dormant bare-root plants from nurseries, for planting out in spring.įind more tips on propagating bleeding heart flowers here. Then keep an eye on them for the following weeks until they’re established.
I like to give the plants a heavy drink right off the bat when they are first transplanted, and another deep drink by the end of the first week. spectabilis in an area you can easily check regularly. Place your transplants 1-2 feet apart in soil amended with compost, and place the transplanted L. You can divide your plants in fall, after they have been dormant through the summer months, or in spring when new growth starts to appear. Follow our guide to dividing perennials to learn how. The easiest way to propagate bleeding hearts is through simple root division, or to purchase live plants that are ready for transplant.īecause the plant grows thick, rhizomatous roots, dividing it is an easy process with a high success rate. Wait until the seed pods are completely dry, and sow them an inch deep. When they have grown two sets of true leaves, plant out the seedlings in a shady or part-shade area of your garden and keep an eye on just where they’re planted.Īlternatively, you can sow seeds directly after harvesting them from an existing plant. spectabilis does not transplant easily, and an unexpected cold snap could ruin all of your planning and preparation. Timing the transition from seed tray to garden can be difficult because L.
Keep the seedlings in full light and follow the basic rules of growing seedlings: rotate your plants so they don’t grow lopsided, don’t water too much, and plant extra because you’re probably going to lose some along the way. And be patient – it can take up to a month for them to germinate. You’ll need to cold stratify them first, by placing the seeds in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before sowing. If you’re a glutton for extra work, you can purchase seeds and start them indoors about 12 weeks before your average last frost date. It does not transplant well after emerging as a seedling, and it can be difficult to get these seeds to germinate in the first place. spectabilis from seed, this isn’t usually recommended. spectabilis is not considered invasive in these regions because of its brief bloom cycle and tendency to grow slowly in a contained area. Since then, they have become a familiar feature in many European and North American gardens.Īlthough not native to the United States or Europe, L. Originally from Asia, bleeding hearts made their way into Western gardens in the mid-nineteenth century. In 2006, the Royal Horticultural Society recognized the name change, and lists D.
They are easy plants to care for, but require a skilled and artful eye to compensate for the the gap they leave in borders and beds after they’ve finished blooming.įormerly known as Dicentra spectabilis, and indeed still referred to by this name by many nurseries, in 1997 the plant was reclassified as Lamprocapnos spectabilis.Īccording to an article published in 1997 in the Journal of Plant Systematics and Evolution by Magnus Linden et al, DNA testing revealed that the bleeding heart is actually more closely related to other members of the Lamprocapnos genus than those of Dicentra. They bloom in mid-to-late spring to early summer, and die back over the hotter months, reappearing in all their splendor next season.īleeding hearts will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, bloom times may vary. It’s impossible not to see where this beauty gets its common name! Soft, green, fern-like foliage and stems support the iconic heart-shaped flower petals, complete with a tiny, trailing drop of color at the bottom of each flower. Often referred to as “old fashioned bleeding hearts,” these herbaceous perennials are members of the poppy family, Papaveraceae.