Bring the Outdoors Home

Bleeding Heart | Plant Profile

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) are showy and low maintenance wildflowers. They are native to Pennsylvania woodlands and the Appalachian Mountains. These perennials feature grayish green foliage and drooping magenta flowers that rise above the body of the plant.

Bleeding Heart prefers average fertility, medium moisture, well drained soils in part shade. The soils should have consistent moisture retention but should not be saturated or allowed to dry out. Propagation occurs via self seeding from spent flowers.

Bleeding Heart are showy additions to naturalized woodland areas or wildflower gardens. The unique flowers can bring interest to fresh flower arrangements.

Description

Bleeding Heart Characteristics

Bleeding Heart are native wildflowers in Pennsylvania. The foliage is grayish green with deeply cut lobes. The flowers are drooping and heart shaped. A single petal emerges from the rest of the flower that resembles a drop of blood, hence the name. The flower stems are bare and rise above the rest of the foliage. Blooming occurs in the cool months of spring and fall. Summer may be too warm for flowers to appear.

There are few serious disease or insect issues that plague Bleeding Heart. On rare occasions, aphids may become a problem. Root rot is likely to occur in poorly drain soils.

USDA Climate Zone
Zones 3 - 9
Height
2.00 - 3.00'
Spread
1.50 - 2.50'
Bloom Time
April - May
Water
Medium
Sun
Part Shade - Full Shade
Maintenance
Low
Deer Resistant?
No