I think Bleeding Hearts are one of the most elegant looking plants a gardener can grow. Each stem is covered with light green foliage, with delicate flowers cascading down a stem of their very own. Once you get one of these gorgeous plants to establish itself in your flower garden, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to grow. Here are 5 tips on caring for bleeding hearts to get you started.
5. Water Sparingly
Bleeding heart plants only need an inch of water during a single week to grow properly. If you have a regular occurrence of rain, then you won’t have to worry much about supplementing the plant with more water. Once the blooms appear, keep the soil moist in order to help blooms remain for a longer period of time.
4. Add Mulch around the Plant
Keeping a constant supply of mulch layered around the Bleeding Heart plant will not only help control weeds, but it will also prevent the water from evaporating too quickly. Any type of mulch will do.
3. Compost and/or Fertilizer Will Help Keep the Plant Healthy
These plants are a heavy feeder, which means you will need to make sure each plant has a constant source of nutrients. A slow-release granular fertilizer works best well. It never hurts to add some organic compost to the soil around the Bleeding Heart or even just some dried leaves that have been chopped up.
2. Deadhead for More Blooms
I don’t know about you, but I want my flowers to bloom as long as possible. A Bleeding Heart plant is just one type of plant that produces more blooms as the old ones are picked off. You can pick these off by hand or snip them off with a pair of sharp scissors.
1. Trim Plants Back after First Fall Frost
You’ll want to cut back your Bleeding Heart flower right after the first frost kills the foliage in the fall. Cut the stems down to just a couple of inches above the ground.
I hope you get the chance to grow one of these amazing plants in your garden. They are absolutely beautiful. Is there any reason you might be hesitant about growing a Bleeding Heart plant?
Top Photo Credit: avalilly
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I water bleeding hearts?
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, watering once or twice a week depending on weather conditions.
- What type of soil do bleeding hearts prefer?
- They thrive in well-draining, rich, and slightly acidic to neutral soil.
- Can bleeding hearts grow in full sun?
- They prefer partial to full shade, especially in hotter climates to prevent leaf scorch.
- When is the best time to plant bleeding hearts?
- Early spring or fall is ideal for planting to give roots time to establish.
- How do I prevent my bleeding hearts from wilting?
- Ensure adequate moisture and avoid hot afternoon sun for best plant health.
- Do bleeding hearts need fertilizing?
- A balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring helps promote healthy growth.
- How can I protect bleeding hearts from pests?
- Keep an eye out for aphids and slugs, and use natural remedies or barriers if needed.
- Should I prune bleeding hearts after blooming?
- Yes, cutting back the foliage after it yellows helps the plant enter dormancy gracefully.
- Are bleeding hearts toxic to pets?
- Yes, they contain alkaloids that can be harmful if ingested, so keep them away from pets.
- Can bleeding hearts survive winter outdoors?
- In most climates, bleeding hearts are hardy and will come back in spring when mulched properly.