How to Plant a Bleeding Heart Bulb

Bleeding heat bulbs resemble colorful strings of lights when they bloom. They offer gardens an elegant touch, which has made them a staple flower for cottage gardens. These types of plants are fairly hardy, yet can die in extreme frosts. Choose a time in early fall to plant your bulb. Find a location that has well-drained soil and receives partial sunlight. Find out how you can plant bleeding heart bulbs as a gorgeous addition to your garden.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Shovel
• Fork
• Rototiller
• Mulch
• Peat moss
• Fertilizer

1. Choose a planting site and watch the location after it rains. If puddles still exist on the site after 5 hours, pick a better draining location. You can also amend the soil for better draining by using peat moss. Work into the first 12 inches of soil using a fork or rototiller.
2. Make sure your planting area gets shade if you are planting white bleeding hearts, and partial sunlight for pink bleeding hearts.
3. Dig a hole twice the height of the bulb. Place your bleeding heart bulb root down into the soil. Allow your bulbs 2 to 3 feet of growing space. Pack soil over the bulbs.
4. Spread 6 inches of mulch over the growing area. Water thoroughly. Remove the mulch after the last frost. The mulch helps lock in moisture and keep the ground warm.
5. Water your bulbs every week during the growing season. Fertilize bulbs in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant bulbs 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost.

• Avoid fertilizing bulbs when planting to prevent burning the bulbs.