Plant of the Month: Bleeding Heart

With its arching stems dripping with perfectly formed, pink-and-white heart-shaped flowers, Dicentra spectabilis, better know as the Bleeding Heart plant, brings a touch of romance and drama to any shady border. If you want to keep this cottage-garden classic looking its absolute best this month, here is your essential April care guide.

While the daffodils are starting to look a bit tired, the Bleeding Heart is just waking up and hitting its stride. It thrives in that lovely, dappled spring sunlight before the garden trees fully leaf out. It’s hardy, reliable, and provides a brilliant burst of colour just when we need it most.

Your care checklist

April is a critical month for Dicentra, as it is actively growing and putting on its main floral display. Here is how to keep it happy:

1. Moisture

April showers certainly help, but if we hit a dry spell, you’ll need to step in.

• The Rule: Bleeding Hearts love moist, well-drained soil. They absolutely hate drying out, which can cause them to go dormant early.
• The Action: Check the soil around the base. If the top inch feels dry, give it a good, deep water at the base of the plant.

2. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

If you haven’t done it yet, early April is the perfect time to apply a thick layer of organic matter (like well-rotted garden compost or leaf mould) around the base of the plant.

• This helps retain that crucial moisture.
• It keeps the roots cool as the days start to warm up.
• Top tip: Keep the mulch a couple of centimetres away from the actual stems to prevent any rotting.

3. Slugs and snails

As the weather warms, our slimy frenemies wake up hungry. They find the lush, fresh growth of a Bleeding Heart incredibly tasty.

• Create a barrier around your plant using grit, crushed eggshells, or wool pellets.

Quick Reference Care Guide