The Eye Catching Beauty Of Bleeding Heart – And How To Grow It Like A Pro!

The beautiful perennial Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) has heart-shaped flowers that hang elegantly from arching stems. How to cultivate bleeding heart like a pro and enjoy its stunning garden beauty:  

It thrives in partial to full shade, making bleeding heart perfect for planting under trees, along woodland edges, or in shady garden beds. Choose a spot with well-draining, wet but not soggy soil.  

1. Choose the Right Location

Cool, rainy spring and fall are ideal for bleeding heart planting. To promote fertility and drainage, dig a hole somewhat larger than the root ball and add compost or aged manure.  

2. Planting Time

Space bleeding heart plants 18-24 inches apart for airflow and growth. Water them well after planting them at the same depth as in their containers.  

3. Spacing

To retain soil moisture and control weeds, mulch bleeding heart plants with shredded bark or leaf mulch. Water frequently to keep soil moist, especially in dry or hot weather.  

4. Mulch and Water

Bleeding heart plants are light feeders, but you can use a balanced or slow-release fertilizer for flowering perennials in spring to promote growth and flowering. The fertilizer packet specifies application rates.  

5. Fertilization

As they grow, bleeding heart plants may need support to avoid falling over. Keep plants upright with stakes or grow-through supports, especially in severe gusts.  

6. Support

Remove spent flowers frequently to prolong blooming and stimulate more blossoms. Use clean, sharp pruners to pinch faded blooms at their base or trim them to the next leaf node.  

7. Deadheading

Divide overloaded bleeding heart clumps every few years to renew and prevent overcrowding. In early spring or fall, dig up the clump, gently separate the roots, and transplant in well-prepared soil.  

8. Division

In colder climates, cover bleeding heart plants' root zones with mulch or straw to insulate the soil and prevent freezing.  

9. Winter Care

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