Dicentra spectabilis, or bleeding heart, is a beautiful and elegant old-time favorite that is a herbaceous, delicate perennial. The stems are arched, studded with lockets of pink flowers, with protruding white petals, hence the name. It is a Native North American wildflower, found across the United States and Canada, and is also available from nurseries in a wide variety of cultivars. Though it only blooms for four to six weeks in late spring, tending to disappear in the mid-summer, it’s easy to recognize of its heart-shaped blooms. It’s ideal for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and underplanting roses and shrubs.
Family
Bleeding heart is a plant of the Family Lamiaceae, also referred to as “The Mint Family”. This family has over 7,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees.
Plant Type
Dicentra spectabilis is a perennial.
Mature Size
The mature size of Billy Buttons is quite small, as they only reach out to 12” to 18” tall and wide, making them suitable for compact gardens.
Sun Exposure
The Bleeding Heart plant grows best when it’s planted in partial shade in the garden. That said, it can also handle full shade, but will tend to stay smaller and take a while longer to flower.
Soil Type
Bleeding Heart plants prefer moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to a slightly acid pH(5-7). Adding in some rich, organic material such as compost or humus can also greatly benefit them.
Soil pH
The ideal pH for growing Bleeding Heart would be anywhere from 5.5 to 7.5 – slightly acidic. It’s a good idea to include a bit of organic matter in the soil when planting to help keep the pH balanced.
Bloom Time
The blooming time for Bleeding Heart is typically from late Spring to mid-summer.
Flower Color
The flowers are typically an unusual pink-white combination, and are shaped like little hearts.
Hardiness Zones
Bleeding Heart is hardy in Zones 4 to 8.
Native Area
The native area for the Bleeding Heart plant is the Northeastern, Midwestern, and Southeastern United States, as well as parts of Canada.
How to Plant
Bleeding Heart is a relatively easy plant to get started in the garden. When planting out in the open, be sure to choose a spot that gets partial shade and has well-draining soil. For container growth, fill a pot with a good-quality potting mix, making sure it is moistened first. Plant the seeds or cuttings a few inches below the surface and water regularly.
Meaning and Symbolism
The Bleeding Heart has several associations that have been attributed to it, such as sweetness, creativity, and compassion. It has been associated with love in general, especially passionate love. The flower’s scientific name, Dicentra spectabilis, is derived from the Greek words dikentron which means two-spurred, and spectabilis which means showy. It’s commonly known as “Lady in a Bath” or “Venus’s Car”, both indicating the “heart”-shaped flower.
History, Mythology, and Religious Significance
In Christian symbolism, the Bleeding Heart has been used to represent the sorrows and trials that Jesus endured on the Cross. In Judaism, the heart represents lovingkindness, the heartache of exile, the tears of sorrow and joy. For Native Americans, the Bleeding Heart is a symbol of sorrow and comfort, a reminder of the beauty of renewal. It also symbolizes mourning, love, courage, passion, and a sense of fragility.
Flower Varieties and their Defining Characteristics
When it comes to Bleeding Heart varieties, there are two types that are commonly available – Dicentra spectabilis, the species, and D. cucullaria, an evergreen type. These two species then each have several cultivars, and each of these have their own characteristics.
- Dicentra spectabilis
- Alba – This is a pure white flowered cultivar of the species
- King of Hearts – has deep pink flowers
- Luxuriant – has frilly, intricate looking foliage
- Silver Leaves – has crinkled white variegated foliage
- Dicentra cucullaria
- Gold Heart – an evergreen with yellow variegated foliage and yellow flowers
- Little Cinderella – a dwarf form with white blotched foliage
- Valentine – an evergreen with red-tinged foliage and red and white flowers
How to Pot and Repot
The Bleeding Heart can be grown in both pots and outdoors in the garden. When potting, choose a container with a drainage hole, and fill it with a quality potting mix. Place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix, then keep it evenly moist but not wet. If you’d like to repot the Bleeding Heart it is best to move it in the spring before it blooms. Be sure to choose a container that is slightly larger than the original one and use a light potting mix that provides good drainage. Repot the plant, water it well and fertilize it.
How to Prune
Bleeding Heart plants should be pruned in late summer or early fall. The reason for this is so the plant can have time to establish itself before colder winter temperatures set in. If you are pruning dead blooms, simply use a pair of sharp clippers to snip off the stem at its base. If you need to prune back an entire plant, prune it lightly and use sharp shears to cut back the stems to their new desired height. After pruning, be sure to feed the plant to help the new growth.
How to Propagate
Propagating these plants is actually quite simple. You can use seeds, cuttings, or root division. When using root division, gently separate the unit into two or more divisions and then plant them where desired. With cuttings, simply take a 4- to 6-inch cutting of the stem and place it in soil. And with seed, sow the seeds in a seed flat or directly into the ground.
Common Pests and Diseases
Bleeding Hearts are generally disease and pest free, however, they can be susceptible to viruses and bacteria. These plants can also be prone to slugs, powdery mildew, and aphids. For pest problems, treat the affected areas with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide. It is also important to keep the area around the plant as clean as possible, as this can help to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dicentra Spectabilis
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- Q: How much sunlight does Bleeding Heart need?
A: It does best in partial shade but can handle full shade.
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- Q: How should I water Bleeding Heart?
A: Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet.
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- Q: How large do Bleeding Hearts usually get?
A: The mature size of Billy Buttons is small, as they only reach out to 12” to 18” tall and wide, making them suitable for compact gardens.
Factsheet
| Flower | Dicentra Spectabilis |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 12-18 inches |
| Sun Exposure | Partial shade/Full Shade |
| Soil Type | moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Flower Color | Pink-White |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8 |
| Native Area | North East, Midwest, South East US and Canada |
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