Known as Bleeding Hearts or Dutchman's Trousers; these Japanese natives are an old fashioned
favorite, making their annual appearance in the Spring. It's unique flower structure gives
it its common name of "Bleeding Heart"
Blooming from late spring to early summer, the one-sided racemes or panicles are borne on arching
flower stems above the foliage. Their 1 inch, heart-shaped flowers have rose pink outer petals
with strongly reflexed tips, and the inner petals are white and exserted.
Bleeding Hearts are an excellent perennial for the shade garden or planted under trees, and will
also thrive in a sunny border provided the soil stays sufficiently moist.
If well watered during the summer period, the foliage remains attractive well into the fall.
If rainfall is light or soil dries out the foliage yellows and disappears by mid-June, and the
plants go dormant for the summer. A filler plant can be used to cover the bare spot left behind.
The leafy upper stems are reddish, and the mid-green foliage is deeply cut, but less finely
dissected than the other species. They form dense clumps that remain compact for many years and do not need dividing.
If needed, divide in October but use caution, because the roots are brittle. Another method is to
take root cuttings 3 inches long, from large roots after the plants have flowered. Cuttings may
also be taken from young shoots, soon after they have started spring growth.
