bleeding heart

The bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Luxuriant') should be watered whenever the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Depending on the temperature, humidity and light exposure, this can range from as little as once a week to every day during warm, sunny weather. During the summer, ensure that the plant is watered deeply and thoroughly to encourage deep root growth and drought-tolerance. During the cold winter months, water only enough to keep the soil from completely drying out.

Bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Luxuriant') requires a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. It can tolerate more sunlight, but it can become prone to sunburn and leaf scorch if it is exposed too long to direct light, especially in regions with hotter climates. In these areas, the plant should be provided with partial shade which will protect it from the warmer temperatures while still getting a few hours of morning or late afternoon sun. Additionally, to prevent wilting and drying of the foliage, afternoon shade is beneficial, especially when humidity levels are low.

Hardiness zone 3–9.

The best time to prune a bleeding heart (Dicentra 'Luxuriant') is in late spring after it has finished blooming. Depending on how established your plant is, you may want to lightly prune your plant every spring. If you only prune once a year, wait until the end of June or early July to prune the plant. Start by cutting off any dead blooms and dead stems, as well as faded, yellow, and brown foliage. This will help the plant receive maximum light and energy. You may also want to lightly trim back longer stems and any growth that is over 1 foot above the soil (this will depend on how tall you want the plant to be). When trimming, you may cut back to 1 to 2 buds from the previous year's growth to encourage a bushy habit. Be careful not to over prune. Finally, if the plant is too large or outgrowing its allotted space, you may shape it by selectively pruning back the stems and canes. This pruning should be done sparingly and not regularly as it can stress the plant.

Division, Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation