Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Pixie Hearts Bleeding Heart: Blush Pink Lace to Soften Lavender
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Pixie Hearts fernleaf bleeding heart carries soft, blushing pink hearts with slightly paler tips on slender, arching stems, held airily over a mound of deeply cut blue-green leaves. It stays clean and compact all season, and it flowers from late spring through summer and often into early fall.
This is an alpine type that prefers sun and sharp drainage, which is why it can join a lavender planting instead of hiding in the woods like the old-fashioned bleeding heart.
Pixie Hearts at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dicentra 'Pixie Hearts' |
| Flowers | Soft blush pink hearts, about three-quarters of an inch long |
| Foliage | Lacy, finely cut, blue-green with a powdery finish |
| Size | 14 to 20 inches tall, 28 to 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-June, often continues into early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Deer | Resistant |
Softening a lavender edge
A row of lavender can look a little stiff on its own: tidy mounds, upright spikes, straight lines. Pixie Hearts relaxes it. Its wide, lacy mound spills softly at the front of the bed, and the blue-green leaves blend with lavender's silver-gray instead of competing with it. The blush pink hearts are gentle enough to sit beside any lavender color, from deep purple to white.
It is wider than many fernleaf types, close to 30 inches across, so give it room. Set it a little forward of the lavender so the two do not crowd each other's crowns. The Companion Plant Planner can help you test the spacing.
The care routine
- Spring: new foliage emerges as lavender wakes up. Clear away any old debris from the crown.
- Late spring to summer: flowering begins. Trim spent stems to keep the mound tidy and encourage more.
- Midsummer heat: it keeps its leaves as long as the soil does not dry out completely. In the hottest sites, a bit of afternoon shade helps. Trim tired foliage if needed to refresh it.
- Damp spells: good airflow keeps leaf spot and mildew down.
- Fall: cut back the foliage after frost. It is very hardy in Michigan, but fleshy crowns rot in soggy winter soil.
Containers and rock gardens
Pixie Hearts also suits rock gardens and large containers with a gritty, fast-draining mix. In a pot near a patio you can see the little hearts up close, which is half the fun.
About the bare root plant
Pixie Hearts is offered as a bare root plant. Plant it with the crown at soil level in well-drained soil and water it in. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is Pixie Hearts different from other fernleaf bleeding hearts?
Its soft blush pink color and wide, clean mound set it apart. It grows close to 30 inches across.
Should I wear gloves when trimming it?
It is a good idea. The sap can irritate skin, and all parts are toxic if eaten, so keep it away from pets and kids who nibble.
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