Bleeding Heart

About this plant

Dicentra eximia, commonly known as Bleeding Heart, is a Woodland Perennial celebrated for its distinctive rose-pink or white, heart-shaped flowers with a protruding inner petal that gives them their namesake appearance. These charming blooms emerge in early to mid-spring, creating a captivating display. This native perennial forms an attractive mound of finely dissected, fern-like foliage that maintains its beauty throughout the growing season, often going dormant in the heat of summer. Its elegant form and whimsical flowers make it an ideal choice for shady borders, woodland gardens, or as an underplanting for larger shrubs and trees. Bleeding Heart thrives in consistently moist, well-drained soil and dappled to full shade, offering a touch of ethereal beauty with minimal fuss. It's a truly enchanting addition to any landscape seeking delicate charm and early season interest.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average, consistently moist, well-drained soils. Prefers a rich, organic soil. Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. May go dormant in hot summers; prune back faded foliage. No serious pest or disease issues.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.