How to Plant Multiple Bleeding Hearts

The bleeding heart plant (dicentra) is a perennial plant that produces heart-shaped, pink or white flowers that bloom in the spring, summer and fall. Bleeding hearts grow to heights between 6 inches and 2 feet, with a possible spread of 1 to 3 feet, depending on the climate and soil conditions. Bleeding hearts thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9. If you live within the preferred zones and have well-drained soil, you can successfully plant multiple bleeding hearts in your landscape.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Soil testing kit
• Garden fork
• Compost
• Lime or peat moss
• Bleeding heart plants
• Soaker hose
• Compost

1. Test the soil before planting the bleeding heart plants. Bleeding hearts prefer to grow in acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. You can purchase a soil testing kit from a garden center or flower nursery that will help to determine your soil pH.
2. Prepare the soil for spring or fall planting by breaking up chunks of earth to a 12-inch depth with a garden fork. Add a 4-inch layer of compost to help nourish the soil before planting.
3. Mix lime in with the soil if the pH is below 5.0 or add peat moss to the soil if the pH is above 6.0. Add the required amendment according to label instructions.
4. Dig holes for the bleeding hearts the same depth as their nursery containers and twice the width. Space the holes for multiple bleeding hearts at a distance of at least 1 to 2 feet apart.
5. Remove the bleeding hearts from their nursery containers and place one bleeding heart plant in the center of each hole. Backfill the holes with the original soil. Tamp the soil down around the bleeding heart plants to remove air pockets.
6. Water multiple bleeding hearts with a soaker hose, which will provide deep watering down to the roots. After planting, multiple bleeding hearts require at least 1 inch of water per week. Make sure that the soil remains moist at a 1-inch depth at all times during the first growing season.

Tips & Warnings

• Feed the bleeding hearts with a fresh layer of compost every year. Apply a 2-inch layer of compost around the bleeding hearts in the spring.

• Cut the bleeding hearts down to 1 inch above the soil line after they die back in the fall.

• Do not overwater the bleeding hearts. Check the soil before watering. If it feels moist when you press your fingers 1 inch down, do not water the bleeding hearts. Instead, check the soil again in a few days.