bleeding heart
Dicentra 'Love Hearts'
Overview
The Bleeding Heart (Dicentra 'Love Hearts') is an amazing, show-stopping flower perfect for any garden. Reaching up to 24 inches tall and boasting beautiful dark foliage and heart-shaped, puffy pink and white flowers, it adds an eye-catching look to any yard. This hardy perennial can be planted in full to partial shade, and is sure to attract a variety of beneficial pollinators. It is even deer and rabbit resistant! An easy-to-care-for plant, Bleeding Hearts are sure to be a striking addition to any outdoor space.
Care Guide
Watering
The bleeding heart plant (Dicentra 'Love Hearts') should be watered well when initially planted, providing enough water to saturate the entire root ball. Afterward, water the plant 1–2 times per week, more often in hot, dry weather. Try to water deeply at the bottom, rather than shallowly at the top of the plant. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings and avoid letting the roots sit in water for extended periods of time. For container-grown plants, make sure to check the soil daily for dampness to avoid overwatering. Lastly, if the plant is grown in an area with high winds, you may need to water more often to prevent it from drying out.
Light
Bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Love Hearts') plants thrive in partial shade or morning sun with afternoon shade, making them ideally suited for growing in east or west-facing exposures. They require at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering. During the warmer months, when temperatures are hotter, it is recommended to slightly reduce the amount of sunlight the plant receives or to provide additional shade if needed. During the cooler months, provide 5-6 hours of direct sunlight to keep the plant healthy and thriving.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 3–8.
Pruning
Bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Love Hearts') should be pruned once per year, after it is done flowering. Cut off all dead and old growth, and thin the plant, making sure to keep a shapely form. If the plant is becoming too unruly, it can be spray pruned by removing the tips of the stems. Pruning off up to 1-third of the plant's growth can help promote new blooms the following season.
Propagation
Division, Layering Propagation, Cutting, Seed Propagation, Grafting Propagation
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