Garden Be Still My Bleeding Heart T
BY C L AU D I A WAT S O N N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteer
20 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2022
he humdrum, short-lived, perfume-free bouquet of a dozen red roses has had its day. Instead, branch out and offer your nearest and dearest a sweetheart of a plant that'll brighten a shady garden with the oldfashioned bleeding heart. Bleeding hearts, formerly known as Dicentra spectabilis, were reclassified as Lamprocapnos spectabilis in 1997. Originally from Asia, the plant reseeds but is not considered invasive in the U.S. because of its brief bloom time and tendency to grow slowly in a contained area. Most bleeding hearts form a loose bushy clump up to three feet tall and wide. However, a species native to eastern North America, Dicentra eximia, grows only about a foot tall and has more finely divided leaves and smaller flowers. The plant is effortless to grow if you mimic its native woodland environment. In the Sandhills, bleeding hearts prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. For optimum bloom, plant in humus-rich, moist soil. It's not particular about soil pH, but soil too alkaline can cause premature yellowing of the foliage. When planting in the spring, spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic matter over the existing soil. Work it in to improve aeration and moisture retention, and create loose soil that will allow the roots to grow. It prefers welldrained soil, so don't let the roots get soggy and rot. Bleeding hearts begin to bloom here in the spring and often remain full for weeks. They are tolerant of high humidity, but once the intense heat of the Sandhills summer hits in July, the foliage will begin to yellow and wither. Cutting back the plants hard after flowering may delay senescence and perhaps promote another flush of flowers. When the stems die back, they can be cut and discarded. Overwinter the root ball with a light mulching. Something old is new again.
