Bleeding heart flowers, with their distinctive heart-shaped blooms, bring unique charm to any garden. These captivating perennials are a favorite among gardeners for their delicate appearance and vibrant color. While classic varieties are pink or white, the allure of deeper, more intense hues has led to the popularity of “purple” bleeding heart cultivars.
Understanding Purple Bleeding Heart Varieties
The term “purple” bleeding heart often encompasses cultivars displaying deep fuchsia, magenta, or reddish-purple tones, rather than a true violet. While Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis) traditionally features pink or white flowers, specific selections offer richer colors. ‘Valentine’ (Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Valentine’) presents striking cherry-red flowers on dark burgundy stems, which can appear purplish due to their depth and intensity. This cultivar also boasts purple-flushed new foliage that matures to gray-green, creating an attractive contrast.
Beyond Lamprocapnos spectabilis, hybrids derived from Dicentra formosa offer a range of deeper shades and often exhibit a longer blooming period. ‘Luxuriant’ is a popular choice, known for its deeply cut, fern-like, grayish-green foliage and cherry-red flowers that persist throughout the growing season. Another notable cultivar is ‘King of Hearts’, a compact hybrid producing rich carmine-rose flowers over delicate, blue-green foliage.
Cultivating Purple Bleeding Hearts
Successful cultivation of bleeding hearts begins with selecting the right location and preparing the soil. These plants thrive in partial to full shade, with morning sun and afternoon shade being ideal, especially in warmer climates, as direct sun can cause early dormancy. Woodland garden settings often provide preferred dappled light conditions.
Bleeding hearts prefer rich, moist, and well-draining soil high in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is generally best. Before planting, amend the soil with several inches of compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. When planting bare roots, position the crown (where roots meet the stem) about 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface, ensuring not to plant too deeply as this can lead to rot. For container-grown plants, set them at the same depth as their original pot.
After planting, water thoroughly to help settle the soil. Spacing is also important; smaller varieties might be planted 12 to 15 inches apart, while larger types like Lamprocapnos spectabilis may require 18 to 30 inches for proper air circulation and growth. Bleeding hearts can also be grown in large containers, provided they have good drainage and a rich potting mix.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Consistent moisture is important for bleeding hearts throughout their active growing season. While they prefer moist soil, avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root issues. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, even during summer dormancy, to keep roots hydrated. Applying a 2-inch layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
Bleeding hearts are not heavy feeders. If planted in rich, organically amended soil, they may not require much additional fertilization. If soil quality is poor, a balanced, slow-release perennial fertilizer can be applied in early spring as new foliage emerges to support growth and blooming. For potted plants, monthly fertilization with a liquid or slow-release product at half strength may be beneficial. Pruning is generally minimal; spent flower stems can be removed to encourage more blooms, especially for longer-blooming varieties.
The foliage of many bleeding heart varieties naturally yellows and dies back in mid-summer as the plant enters dormancy, particularly in warmer climates. Allow the foliage to die back on its own to allow the plant to store energy for the next season. Once completely yellowed or browned, it can be cut back to 1-2 inches from the ground. For winter preparation, especially in colder zones, a 2-inch layer of mulch applied after the first hard frost can help insulate the roots.
Troubleshooting Common Bleeding Heart Problems
Bleeding hearts can experience issues related to environmental conditions, pests, or diseases. Yellowing leaves can indicate several factors. While a natural sign of summer dormancy, premature yellowing can point to too much direct sun, stressing the plant and causing early dormancy. Overwatering or poorly draining soil can also lead to yellowing due to lack of oxygen around roots, potentially causing root rot.
Wilting is another common symptom from either too little or too much water. Under-watering causes dehydration and drooping leaves, while overwatering can suffocate roots and result in root rot, also manifesting as wilting. Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot can affect bleeding hearts, appearing as powdery patches or discolored spots on foliage. These can often be treated with a fungicide, and good air circulation can help prevent them. More serious fungal infections like Verticillium wilt or Fusarium wilt affect the plant’s vascular system, causing root rot and wilting. These systemic diseases are often not salvageable, and affected plants should be removed.
Pests are generally not a severe issue for bleeding hearts. Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, can occasionally infest new growth, causing damage. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can effectively manage aphid infestations. Slugs and snails may also feed on tender foliage, leaving ragged holes; manual removal is an effective control method. Maintaining proper watering, providing adequate shade, and ensuring good soil drainage are proactive steps to prevent many common problems.