As interesting as bleeding-heart looks, you'd think it would be difficult to grow. On the contrary, it's very easy. Dicentra species are native to North America and Asia and are welcome additions to most shady gardens. These perennials' outstanding features are their heart-shaped flowers that, sure enough, appear to be in need of transfusions.
Flowers usually appear in spring or early summer, and in some species they last until frost.
The plants' lacy, fernlike foliage is usually attractive on its own. There are three major species grown in the trade. D. spectabilis . Japanese bleeding-heart is probably the most common. It has pink and white flowers that bloom for several weeks beginning in midspring.