(Fringed Bleeding Heart)

Fringed bleeding heart is a wonderful herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States. Starting in spring - and continuing all summer in cooler climes - clusters of dark pink, heart shaped flowers are displayed above the grayish-green fern-like foliage. Several excellent selections and hybrids are available, including the white-flowered 'Snowdrift'.

Fringed bleeding heart is happiest in a moist shady site, where it will self-sow and naturalize. Use it in a woodland or shady mixed border.

(Pacific Bleeding Heart, Western Bleeding Heart)

This species of dicentra is a low, spreading perennial prized for its feathery leaves and clusters of heart-shaped, pendent pink flowers held above the leaves on stems that curl like a shepherd’s crook. The plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a soft mound, and the flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. It spreads freely by seeds. Native to western North America, it is found in a range of conditions, but most often in shady spots, including woodlands.

Plant this perennial...

(Aurora Bleeding Heart, Bleeding Heart)

Descended from a species native to western North America, 'Aurora' is a low, spreading perennial prized for its feathery leaves and clusters of heart-shaped, pendent white flowers held high on stems that curl like a shepherd’s crook. It spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a soft mound, and the flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. It also spreads freely by seeds. Its parent species grows in a range of conditions, but most often in shady spots, including woodlands.

Plant ‘Aurora’...

(Bleeding Heart, Sweetheart Bleeding Heart)

A selection of bleeding heart native to western North America, 'Sweetheart' is a low, spreading perennial prized for its feathery leaves and clusters of heart-shaped, pendent, white flowers. These blossoms are held above the leaves on stems that curl like a shepherd’s crook. The plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a soft mound, and the flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. It spreads freely by seeds. The parent species is found in a range of conditions, but most often in...

(Pacific Bleeding Heart, Zestful Bleeding Heart)

Descended from a species of bleeding heart native to western North America, 'Zestful' is a low, spreading perennial prized for its feathery leaves and clusters of heart-shaped, pendent, pink flowers held above the leaves on stems that curl like a shepherd’s crook. The plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a soft mound, and the flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. It spreads freely by seeds. The parent species is found in a range of conditions, but most often in shady spots,...

(Bleeding Heart, Old-fashioned Bleeding Heart)

Old-fashioned bleeding heart, what a classic garden perennial! This large, bushy ornamental originates from northeastern Asia. In late spring to early summer it produces horizontal, slightly curved stems lined with pendulous, heart-shaped flowers. Its blooms are most commonly vibrant rose-pink with white tips, but white selections are also available. These appear against a backdrop of coarsely toothed, sea green foliage.

Bleeding heart grows best in fertile soil with average drainage. It prefers...

(Bleeding Heart, White Bleeding Heart)

White bleeding heart, what a classic old-fashioned garden favorite. This large, bushy perennial originates from northeastern Asia. In late spring to early summer it produces horizontal, slightly curved stems lined with white, drooping, heart-shaped flowers against a backdrop of coarsely toothed, sea green foliage.

Bleeding heart grows best in fertile soil with average drainage. It prefers full to part sun, but does not appreciate high heat. In fact, as the summer temperatures rise plants often...

(Bleeding Heart, Gold Heart Bleeding Heart)

The showy leaves of 'Gold Heart' bring a new look to a classic old-fashioned garden favorite from northeastern Asia. Dangling in loose clusters from thigh-high, arching stems, the purple-pink, heart-shaped flowers are displayed against a background of coarsely toothed, bright gold-chartreuse foliage. Leaf color is less brilliant in hotter, sunnier sites. Plants go semi-dormant in summer, when they can be pruned to the ground. This plant may self-sow.

Bleeding heart grows best in fertile soil...

(Firecracker Flower)

Clusters of tubular, multi-colored flowers on a tall, thin stem in early summer is firecracker flower's claim to fame. An herbaceous perennial that grows from a corm (a rounded storage root), it is native to the coastal grasslands and woodland edges of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. After flowering it needs a warm, dry period for its corms to harden and then foliage to go dormant.

The foliage is yellow-green to medium green and strap-like grassy in form. In late spring to midsummer,...

(Bush Honeysuckle, Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle, Northern Bush Honeysuckle)

A compact, adaptable plant for many dry garden applications, the tiny yellow-orange fragrant blossoms and the yellowish fall foliage display of the northern bush honeysuckle are pleasing. A mounding deciduous shrub, it's native to drier woodlands from southern Canada to North Carolina and Iowa in the United States. It is rather short-lived shrub and grows from spreading rhizomes (underground stems), often naturally rejuvenating after fires in pine woodlands.

The oval lance-like leaves emerge...