2 named cultivars

perennialN. America Native

Fringed Bleeding Heart

$28.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Dicentra eximia, fringed bleeding heart, is a clumping perennial native to the Appalachian mountains, forming a mound of finely divided blue-green fern-like foliage six to eighteen inches high and rather wider. Nodding urn-shaped pink flowers under an inch long hang in small clusters above the leaves from spring right through summer.

Unlike the Asian bleeding heart, which yellows and disappears by midsummer, this native holds its foliage and keeps flowering into autumn — that alone makes it the better choice for a shaded border you actually look at all season. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, and it seeds itself gently without becoming a nuisance.

Uses & Benefits:

Fern-like blue-green foliage all season, with nodding pink hearts from spring into autumn.

One of the longest-flowering shade perennials there is, and it does not leave a summer gap.

A native supporting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, with seed taken by songbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

12 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Appalachian mountains of eastern North America

Toxicity

Mildly toxic if eaten

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$28.95

Perennial Farm Marketplace

In Stock$31.99

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in dappled or partial shade.
Give it moist, humus-rich, freely draining soil.
Mulch with leaf mould to keep roots cool.
Deadhead lightly to keep new flowers coming.
Water through dry spells to avoid a summer check.
Divide congested clumps in early spring.

Pro Tip

This is the bleeding heart that does not go dormant — if yours vanishes in July, it is the Asian species, not this one.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in dappled shade 🌳
Keep the soil moist all summer 💧
Mulch with leaf mould 🍂
Let it self-seed gently 🌱

Don't

Let it dry out in midsummer ❌
Plant it in hot afternoon sun ❌
Eat any part of it ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Mulch

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Native woodland and shade borderLong-season interest under deciduous treesRock garden in cool, shaded pockets

Companion Plants

Foamflower Wild Ginger Christmas Fern Woodland Phlox Heuchera

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Fringed Bleeding Heart questions

What zones can Fringed Bleeding Heart grow in?

Fringed Bleeding Heart is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Fringed Bleeding Heart deer resistant?

Yes — Fringed Bleeding Heart is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Fringed Bleeding Heart bloom?

Fringed Bleeding Heart typically blooms in spring to fall through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Fringed Bleeding Heart need full sun?

Fringed Bleeding Heart does best in part shade.