Bleeding Heart Flower Info and Care: Guide

Bleeding Heart Flower Info and Care: Guide

The bleeding heart flower is a type of flower that can be found around the world. It has been used in many cultures and for different purposes.

This plant is very popular among gardeners because of its attractive characteristics. But, there are so many things that people do not know about bleeding heart flowers.

They are not just beautiful, but they have medicinal properties as well.

This article will give you an overview of the bleeding heart flower and how to care for it properly. We will also discuss its propagation, pruning requirements, how to protect it from pests and disease, and many more. Let’s get started.

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Bleeding Heart Basic Info:

Bleeding heart flowers are also known as Lamprocapnos spectabilis, is a flowering plant that is native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan. It belongs to the fumitory subfamily of the poppy family Papaveraceae. It comes in a wide range of varieties, some of them are the following:

• Amore Pink
• Dutchman’s Breeches
• Ivory Hearts
• Aurora

Lighting Requirements:

The lighting requirements of this plant are quite moderate. This is not a sun-loving plant, but it also does not do well in the shade. When grown indoors, it needs about three to four hours of sunlight. You can place it near a window or any artificial light source as well. If you plant it outdoors, it needs around six to eight hours of sunlight.

Water Requirements:

The bleeding heart flower requires moist soil. The soil should be moist but not too wet. It only needs a moderate amount of water. The best way to check if the soil is moist enough is to stick your finger into it. 

If the soil feels neither too wet nor too dry, then that is the right amount of water. You will need to water your bleeding heart flower regularly. If you let it dry out, the leaves and flowers will not grow well.

Soil Requirements:

The best kind of soil for bleeding heart is soil that is rich in organic matter and it must drain well. The soil should have a pH of around 6.0 to 6.5.

Avoid planting it in clay-based, compacted, or water-logged soils. If you do, the plants will not grow well, they may suffer from root rot, they will be stunted and they could die over time. You will not get the best flowers or the plants will be weak. 

Temperature Requirements:

Keep the temperature of your environment around the bleeding heart plant between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help in sustaining the proper humidity level of the plant. Remember that this plant prefers cooler temperatures compared to other plants

Flowering Period:

A bleeding heart flower is a type of perennial plant. This means that it will grow and last perennially. Therefore, you will have flowers from mid-to-late spring to early summer. The best time to grow this plant is in the spring and summer.

Pruning:

To prune the bleeding heart plant, cut off the stems with pruning shears, which are sharp blades that you can use to cut off the stalks. Make sure to remove the leaves around the cut stems. The leaves will dry out and die, but this will not interfere with the health of the plant.

As you prune, be careful not to damage the roots. The bleeding heart plant is a perennial. Therefore, you can prune it every year to make sure it stays at the same size.

Propagating:

Propagating the bleeding heart flower can be done in several different ways. You can propagate it by sowing the seeds which produce new plants, dividing them, or you can even propagate it by layering.

• The seeds of the bleeding heart flower can either be sowed in a container placed in the soil or you can sow them directly in the ground. However, after you have sowed the seeds, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse until they germinate.
• Propagating by dividing the plants is one of the easiest ways to do it. You can propagate the bleeding heart by cutting the plants into smaller pieces and the roots will produce new plants. The larger the original piece of the plant, the more new plants you are likely to get out of the division.
• Layering is the process of removing a branch from the host plant and placing it on the ground. Then the branch will form roots from the buried part and will develop a new plant. If you want to do this, you need to make sure that the rootstock is not damaged in any way. The best time for layering is late spring or early summer. Take a branch that is a little less than an inch thick and transplant it into the ground vertically.

Care for Winter:

The best way to care for bleeding hearts over winter is to cover the ground with a sheet of plastic. The plastic will trap and hold in heat, which will then promote a healthier root mass and better growth in the spring season.

Next, cut the plant back by about two-thirds. Then, place a two to three-inch layer of mulch on the soil around the plant.

Pests and Common Diseases:

There are so many common pests and diseases that this beautiful plant can get. The most common disease of the bleeding heart flower is leaf spot. Powdery mildew is another common disease that affects bleeding heart flowers. It usually appears during cool and dry conditions.

These can be easily treated by spraying with a fungicide or an organic fungicide. If the affected plants are young, the best thing to do is to remove them and not use the soil. Although pests are not a big problem for bleeding heart flowers, it is better to prevent them from occurring.

Final Thoughts

Bleeding hearts are one of the most popular flowers to grow in the spring. They are a beautiful plant that is sure to bring a smile to your face. These are very easy to grow and are low-maintenance plants. 

So, if you want to grow this beautiful plant, then the information above will help you to get started. It will help you to know the different types of bleeding heart flowers, when they bloom, and how to grow them.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article. If you have any questions regarding this flower, feel free to ask. We will be happy to help you clear your doubts.

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