The Bleeding Heart plant (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a beloved garden perennial that reliably returns to the landscape every year. This plant is instantly recognizable by its unique, heart-shaped flowers that dangle in an arching row, giving the appearance of tiny, pink or white lockets. As an herbaceous perennial, the plant’s root structure remains alive underground through the cold winter months, allowing it to re-emerge each spring. While the foliage may vanish completely in the summer, this disappearance is a natural part of its life cycle and is not a cause for concern.
The Mechanism of Summer Dormancy
The disappearance of the Bleeding Heart is a natural survival strategy called aestivation, or summer dormancy. As the weather transitions from the cool, moist conditions of spring into the heat of early summer, the plant receives environmental signals to retreat. The delicate foliage thrives in cooler temperatures but is highly susceptible to scorching and excessive water loss under intense heat and dry conditions.
To conserve its resources, the plant initiates senescence, drawing all stored energy and nutrients back down into its underground structures. The chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, causing the foliage to turn yellow and eventually wither and die back to the ground. This makes the plant an “ephemeral perennial,” meaning its above-ground presence is temporary, but its fleshy, tuberous roots or rhizomes remain dormant and safe beneath the soil.
Ensuring the Plant Returns Successfully
Gardeners must manage the plant’s environment, especially during its active and dormant periods. The Bleeding Heart thrives best in rich, humus-rich soil that is consistently moist but also well-drained. Soggy conditions, particularly in winter, can lead to the root crown rotting, which prevents the plant from coming back.
Avoid cutting back the yellowing foliage prematurely in the late spring or early summer. Even when the flowers have faded, the leaves are actively photosynthesizing and storing the energy needed to fuel next year’s growth in the rhizomes. Trim the stems back to the ground only once they have fully turned yellow and wilted, signaling that the energy transfer is complete.
During the summer months when the plant is fully dormant, it is helpful to mark the location of the root crown to prevent accidental disturbance. Providing occasional moisture during prolonged dry spells can help keep the roots healthy. Applying a layer of mulch helps insulate the soil and maintain a consistent, cool moisture level around the dormant root system.
Seasonal Cycle of Appearance and Retreat
The Bleeding Heart is one of the first perennials to emerge from the ground in the spring, often sending up reddish shoots as early as March. The plant grows quickly, and its peak bloom period occurs from mid-to-late spring, generally spanning April through May. During this time, the characteristic flowers appear in profusion on arching stems above the fern-like foliage.
As temperatures climb toward summer, the plant’s life cycle shifts dramatically. Depending on the climate and local heat, the foliage will begin to yellow and die back sometime between late May and mid-July. This complete retreat means the plant will be absent from the garden for the duration of the hottest months. The Bleeding Heart remains dormant underground throughout the rest of summer and fall, restarting its annual display the following spring.