Bleeding heart

Bleeding heart has a long history with prairie gardeners and it is often one of the first perennials that any of us try growing. It reaches 60 to 90 centimetres (2 to 3 feet) tall and wide and produces beautiful pink or white, heart shaped flowers in late spring or early summer. It forms an immense clump over time and once established, bleeding hearts are care-free and require very little. They like moisture and good soil but can make do with far less than ideal growing conditions.

The flowers are great for cutting, attractive to bees and hummingbirds, and it is one of the first perennials to emerge from the ground in spring. They can be divided quite easily and also establish quickly. They are really a perfect plant!

Don’t be fooled by people that insist bleeding heart is happiest in the shade: it is not. It will flower very poorly in a dark corner but it doesn’t want the hottest afternoon sun, either. Growing bleeding heart in an east or north exposure where it can have morning sun and afternoon shade, or a dappled or a filtered light such as under a birch or an ash. Do not treat bleeding hearts like hostas.