PerennialsDicentra spectabilis
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart is a charming perennial with gracefully arching flower sprays full of heart-shaped pink and white blooms. Flowering appears from April to June above refined blue-green foliage. After blooming, the plant retreats and the foliage disappears entirely.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Partial shade
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 60–90 cm
- Spread
- 45–60 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 3–9
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- pink, white
- Wildlife value
- bees
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in partial shade in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the flowering period. Avoid full sun and drying out. Mark the location, as the plant disappears completely underground in summer.
Pruning tips
Remove spent flower stems as they turn brown. Allow the foliage to die back naturally and only remove it once fully yellowed. Divide the plant in autumn if it outgrows its space.
Good companions
PerennialsHosta sieboldiana
Hosta
Hosta is the quintessential shade plant, valued for its large, blue-green, ribbed leaves. Light purple or white bell-shaped flowers appear on tall stems in July and August. Over the years the plant forms substantial clumps that give a shaded border a lush character.
PerennialsAstilbe × arendsii
False Spirea
False Spirea is an elegant shade plant with feathery plumes in pink, red, or white above deeply cut foliage. It blooms from June to August, and the plumes retain their ornamental value even when dried. Astilbe thrives in moist, shady spots where many other plants struggle.
PerennialsHelleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose
The Lenten Rose is one of the first bloomers of the garden year, with saucer-shaped flowers in purple, pink or white appearing as early as February. The evergreen, palmate foliage forms attractive clumps that remain decorative year-round. The plant is a valuable early nectar source for bees.