Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Passion Hearts Bleeding Heart: Rosy Hearts That Love the Sun
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Passion Hearts fernleaf bleeding heart breaks the rules most people know about bleeding hearts. Instead of wanting damp shade and vanishing in July, this alpine type prefers sun and sharp drainage and keeps its foliage all season. Small, puffy hearts in dark rose pink with lighter tips dangle from arching stems over a lacy, fern-like mound of blue-green leaves.
And it keeps going: flowers start in late spring, peak in early summer and often continue into early fall.
Passion Hearts at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dicentra 'Passion Hearts' |
| Flowers | Hearts about 0.75 inch long, dark and light rose pink |
| Foliage | Finely cut, lacy, blue-green |
| Size | 18 to 24 inches tall, 26 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-June, high rebloom into fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Deer | Resistant |
A fine-textured partner for lavender
Lavender's foliage is narrow and silvery; Passion Hearts' is lacy and blue. Side by side, the two cool tones blend while the textures stay distinct, and the rosy hearts add a soft pink note in front of the purple. Because it likes sun and good drainage, it can genuinely share the edge of a lavender bed rather than sitting off in the shade like its old-fashioned cousins.
Its long bloom season is the other selling point. It flowers before lavender opens, alongside it in June and on through the summer after the lavender harvest. Try it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: average with excellent drainage. Fleshy crowns rot in soggy soil.
- Water: during long dry spells. It handles heat far better than old-fashioned bleeding heart as long as the soil does not dry out completely.
- Hot sites: a little afternoon shade helps in the hottest spots.
- Grooming: remove spent stems to keep it tidy, and trim tired foliage in midsummer if it needs a refresh.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan. Cut the foliage back after frost and avoid heavy mulch directly over the crown.
Safety note
All parts of bleeding heart contain alkaloids and are toxic if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Wear gloves when dividing or trimming, and plant it where pets and small children will not nibble.
Plug tray or bare root
Passion Hearts is offered as a 72-cell plug tray for edging long beds and as a bare root plant for a single specimen. See the product pages for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Will it go dormant in summer like other bleeding hearts?
No. Fernleaf types like Passion Hearts keep their foliage through summer instead of dying back.
Do hummingbirds visit it?
Fernleaf bleeding hearts are a good fit for hummingbird gardens, and the flowers have a good pollinator rating.
Can it grow in a container?
Yes, in a pot with a drainage hole and a well-drained mix.
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