For generations, this fairytale flower has been the focal point for numerous garden designs. The bleeding heart's bloom forms the shape of a perfect heart and growers cannot seem to resist its charms. There are some specifics to learn about successfully growing the bleeding heart, but once mastered, the bleeding heart can be counted on year after year.
Profile of the Bleeding Heart
- Common Names - Bleeding heart, lyre flower, lady's locket, lady in the bath.
- Botanical Gens - Dicentra spectabilis.
- Blooms - Late spring, plants become dormant mid-summer.
- Height - 2-3 feet
- Width - 2 feet
- Light preference - Partial to full shade.
- Soil type - Moist, humus rich and well drained. Neutral to slight alkalinity.
- Plant possibilities - Potted plants can be added to garden whenever available. Sow from seed after the dangers of frost has past, and be gentle with roots when separating at plant base. Flower will freely self seed.
This sentimental plant has been solely responsible for providing bonding moments for gardening mothers and daughters for many years. Its dainty heart shaped flower, dangling from slender stems, on a lush plant profuse with blooms, is an inspirational sight. Glenna Blair Rieppel, a consummate gardener from Pennsylvania, remembers a story passed down from her grandmother. Delicately disassembling the flower and describing what everyone got for Christmas. "Mother received two pretty pink shoes, Father got two fishing hooks, Sister a pair of ballerina slippers, and Brother found a baseball bat."
Over the years, stories have changed and the mystery has grown, but either way, the bleeding heart continues to inspire the imagination.
Origin and History of the Bleeding Heart
Originally from the Orient, the bleeding heart traveled to Europe in 1847 along with British botanist, Robert Fortune. Fortune was on an expedition for exotic plants and he returned from his voyage with a single specimen of this exquisite perennial. Local growers were quite taken with the bleeding heart's enchanting flower, and they began flourishing in Victorian gardens everywhere.
The bleeding heart's scientific name is Dicentra spectabilis and is often referred to as the old fashioned or Japanese bleeding heart. And there are two North American varieties; the fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia), from the eastern United States, and the western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa), from the western U.S. Neither of the America's plants are as large or spectacular.
How to Grow the Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts should be planted in rich soil that is proficiently draining, and in full to partial shade. The lush plant will grow to roughly 3 feet by 3 feet, and should be provided with ample room for adequate air flow. Also, the plant "unfurls" its blooms, so for the most advantageous showing, it is best not to crowd the bleeding heart plant.
Bleeding hearts become dormant and die back completely in mid-summer, so most gardeners prefer to plant them further back to keep this dormancy less noticeable. For a more efficient solution, prune the plant back after it finishes flowering. The trimmed plant is then encouraged to emit lush green foliage through the fall.
Whether its following a tradition or starting anew, gardening enthusiasts everywhere are raising a toast and celebrating this lovely flowering plant and its promise for life, happily ever after.
Sources include:
Birds and Blooms, "A Happy Ending Begins with Bleeding Heart", Collector's Edition #28 (pg.10) 2001, Print
Valerie Modreski - Ms. Modreski has worked as a writer for over 30 years. Valerie began her career on the editorial staff of the Broward College academic ...
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