Grow a garden full of beautiful bleeding hearts! This guide provides everything you need to know about planting and caring for these unique flowers.
About Bleeding Hearts They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, meaning they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Depending on the cultivar, they typically grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, forming attractive mounds of foliage.
Sun and Soil ConditionsBleeding hearts prefer partial shade to full shade. The ideal soil for bleeding hearts is moist, well-drained, and rich in organic matter.
PlantingDig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s container, and the same depth. Gently loosen the roots and place the plant in the hole. Then backfill with soil, press gently, and water well.
WateringWater deeply when first planted then keep the soil consistently moist but not oversaturated. Aim for the roots, not the foliage. And water in the earlier part of the day.
Fertilizing Instead of fertilizing, focus on good soil quality by amending it yearly with compost, aged manure, leaf mold, and other organic matter.
MulchingApplying a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or leaf compost, around the plants offers multiple benefits. It helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, and keeps the soil cool during the summer months..
SupportTaller varieties of bleeding hearts may require staking to prevent their delicate stems from flopping over, especially in windy conditions. Staking helps maintain the plant’s shape and prevents damage to the flowers.
Follow along to learn more about how to grow bleeding hearts (dicentra).