Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Dicentra spectabilis

Nature Hills Nursery

Iconic Heart-Shaped Blooms Dangle from Arching Stems in Spring
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-9
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Pink, White Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: These perennials thrive in partial shade to full shade, performing best with cool morning sun and protection from the harsh afternoon heat. While they can handle more sun in cooler climates if the soil stays moist, too much direct heat will cause the plant to go dormant and lose its leaves earlier in the season.
Soil: Plant in rich, humus-y soil that drains well but remains consistently moist, similar to a natural woodland floor. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it generously with compost or peat moss to improve drainage, as the fleshy roots are prone to rot in soggy winter conditions.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the spring establishment period and throughout the blooming season to prolong the display. Once the plant enters its natural dormancy in the heat of summer and the leaves yellow, you can reduce watering, but never let the roots dry out completely or the plant may not return the following year.

Pruning Tips

Pruning is mostly for aesthetics; simply cut the foliage back to the ground after it has turned yellow and withered in mid-to-late summer. Do not remove the leaves while they are still green, as the plant uses that time to absorb energy and recharge the roots for next spring's blooms.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a layer of organic compost or a light, balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications, especially later in spring, as this encourages soft foliage growth at the expense of flowers and can make the plant susceptible to aphids.

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Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Flower Color	Pink, White
Foliage Color	Green
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Sunlight	Partial shade
Growth Habit	Compact, Upright
Growth Rate	Moderate
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Watering Needs	Moderate
Botanical Name	Dicentra spectabilis
Class	Ranunculales
Species	spectabilis
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Romantic pink and white blooms, there are few plants as romantic, iconic, and intriguing as the Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)! The Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart is a showy, reliable, and whimsical choice for your spring garden. This shade-loving and classic variety offers an exceptional spring display with its bright pink, heart-shaped, puffy blooms.

All it takes is one glance at the Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart to understand why this plant is a garden must-have! The Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart produces strings of perfectly plump and delightfully pink outer petals and white inner petals that form the "drop". And it's impossible not to love how these flowers dangle and drip, creating one of the most unique garden sensations you will find.

Only growing to a ferny, fringed mound of elegant green foliage that's 2-3 feet tall and wide, the mounds gracefully arch, cascade, and drape themselves over the ground beautifully! In stark contrast to this delicate-looking plant's appeal is the extreme cold-hardiness and heat tolerance of these herbaceous perennials throughout USDA growing zones 3 through 9!

Planting and Application:

With racemes that erupt with blooms as elegant, stunning, and unique as high-fashion jewelry and foliage that holds its own in light of the breathtaking blooms, a Bleeding Heart is a true joy to grow! Any formal shady garden border, Cottage garden, or fanciful Children's Garden just seems complete with a Bleeding Heart!

It pairs well with other shade-lovers like Hostas, Coral Bells, and Columbines because as these perennials fill in, they provide shade and protection for your Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart as it bids your garden adieu. Likewise, pair with larger shrubs that may not leaf out until later in the spring. Plant your Bleeding Heart around their bases so their later-emerging leaves cover these summer-shy perennials!

Thriving in higher moisture areas, tuck a few Bleeding Hearts around the outskirts of a Rain Garden or water feature! Under trees and larger shrubs, Bleeding Hearts bask in the welcome understory and are the perfect facer perennials to hide larger plants' bare legs with a lacy skirting of green. No proper Shade Garden or shady side of your home's foundation seems complete without a few Bleeding Hearts!

Exquisite Puffed Rosy-Pink & White Blooms
Heart-Shaped Dangling Flowers
Finely-Textured Cut-Leaf Foliage
Contrasting Arching Stems
Classic Shade Garden Beauty
Containers, Edging & Borders, Wildness & Understory Forest Gardens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Make the most of every inch of your garden with an Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart. It loves partial shade and won't make a fuss if you let it do its thing. These plants appreciate regular, consistent moisture and a 3-4 inch layer of mulch over their root systems. Plant in any kind of enriched, organic, well-drained soil for best results.

In some areas, Bleeding Heart self-seeds, so in out-of-the-way locations, allow them to spread and colonize your shady glens and understories, or deadhead right after the blooms fade to keep them in one place year after year. As a tender herbaceous perennial, it goes dormant in the heat of summer. But then this perennial reliably reappears each spring, and you will be delighted all over again! Clean up the mound by pruning away the leaves and stems as soon as they’ve yellowed in late summer or fall.

Partial Shade-Loving Perennial
Consistent Moisture & Mulched Beds
Any Enriched, Well-Drained Soil
Deadhead After Blooms Fade & Prune After Foliage Yellows
Low-Maintenance & Very Easy Care
Read more care info here!

The foliage may go dormant in mid-summer in hot sun and soaring temps - learn about summer dormancy.

Old Fashioned Classic Hearts

These lovely and classic shade garden flowers offer an elegant display come spring. If your garden has yet to be blessed with a Bleeding Heart, the Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart is a great start! Be sure to prepare your camera; this photogenic beauty is sure to steal your heart and the show. Order today at NatureHills.com!

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Growing Zones 3-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much water does Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart need, and can the soil be soggy?

Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart prefers consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. This perennial thrives in higher moisture areas and works well near rain gardens or water features. Provide regular watering during its spring growing season, then reduce as foliage naturally dies back in summer heat.

How do I plant Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart so the crown is at the right level?

Plant the crown at soil level, where the roots meet the stems. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide, ensuring the crown sits flush with the surrounding ground. Backfill gently and water thoroughly. Find quality plants at naturehills.com.

Will Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart die back in summer, and what do I do with the foliage?

Yes, Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart naturally dies back to the ground in summer heat. The foliage yellows and disappears completely, which is normal behavior for this perennial. Simply cut back the spent foliage once it turns yellow, and mark the spot so you remember where it will return next spring.

Is Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart cold hardy, and can it survive winter outdoors?

Yes, Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart is extremely cold hardy and survives winters outdoors in USDA zones 3-9. This herbaceous perennial dies back naturally each fall and returns reliably each spring. Plant it in partial to full shade with consistent moisture for best winter survival.

What fertilizer should I use for Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, and when?

Feed Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart with balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring before blooms emerge. A light application of compost or slow-release granular fertilizer works well for this zones 3-9 perennial. Shop quality bleeding hearts at naturehills.com.

How is Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart shipped, and what should the bare roots look like on arrival?

Bleeding Hearts ship as dormant bare root crowns with thick, fleshy roots and visible growing points or "eyes." Healthy roots should be firm and plump, not mushy or dried out. Plant immediately upon arrival or store in slightly moist peat moss in the refrigerator until planting.

Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Dicentra spectabilis